Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik celebrated the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on the House floor. This bill allows school cafeterias to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk.
“Upstate New York and the North Country’s dairy farmers work hard to provide nutritious milk for our families and communities, and I am proud to have supported legislation to give children increased access to their delicious milk products,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would allow schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk in cafeterias, giving our kids a variety of milk choices. I will always work to increase our children’s access to important dairy nutrition.”
“NMPF thanks Representative Elise Stefanik for her persistent, strong action to ensure that Americans have access to nutritious dairy and the numerous health benefits dairy foods provide. Milk is a nutrition powerhouse and an unparalleled tool for delivering the 13 essential nutrients kids need to grow and thrive. We are grateful for Rep. Stefanik’s leadership and support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which expands the types of milk schools can choose to serve to include 2% and whole milk. NMPF is pleased the House approved the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act today, and we look forward to working with Congress to continue to increase access to nutritious dairy and other healthful foods for all,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation
“IDFA applauds the strong bipartisan passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would allow schools to once again provide children with a wide variety of milk options that they will drink and that meet their individual needs—whether that be whole and 2%, low-fat milks, or lactose-free milks. Whole milk and reduced-fat milks alike provide children with 13 essential nutrients for growth, development, healthy immune function, and overall wellness. A wide majority of parents and medical and nutrition professionals know that offering these options increases school meal participation, reduces food waste, and provides nutritionally valuable school meals for children and adolescents. IDFA is grateful to Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Rep. Kim Schrier, Rep. Elise Stefanik, and the many other lawmakers who for years have championed this effort to reinstate the full suite of nutritious milk options in school meals. We strongly urge the Senate to pass this legislation,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.
"Every student deserves to have healthy, well-balanced meals in school, and studies have shown that milk is an important part of providing growing children with essential vitamins and nutrients. New York Farm Bureau appreciates Rep. Stefanik's support of the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act which will give school districts greater choices of milk on the menu. In turn, this will also support New York's dairy farm families who take pride in producing a healthy product that kids enjoy and need," said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.
- In June 2023, Congresswoman Stefanik voted for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which passed out of the Education and the Workforce Committee in a bipartisan manner.
- In June 2023, Congresswoman Stefanik led a bipartisan letter to USDA in support of keeping flavored milk in schools following a proposed rule that would potentially ban flavored milk in school cafeterias.
- In February 2023, Congresswoman Stefanik reintroduced the Protecting School Milk Choices Act in order to preserve milk choice in schools after New York City Mayor Eric Adams tried to ban chocolate milk in school cafeterias.
