HARRISBURG – PA agriculture leaders applaud the signing of the federal Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The measure allows schools nationwide to now offer whole and 2% milk as options for students to choose from in addition to the reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk options already being provided through the USDA’s National School Lunch Program. The leaders say not only will students benefit from the nutrient dense beverage, but this change will be beneficial to local dairy farmers who take pride in providing quality dairy products to their communities. The bill was in response to enactment of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 that put restrictive regulations on the consumption of whole milk in schools – only permitting low-fat and fat-free milk options. Within the first two years of that law being in effect, 1.2 million fewer students drank milk with their lunches.
