Federal lawmakers want whole milk back in schoolsFederal lawmakers want whole milk back in schools

Whole milk in schools is back in the spotlight as federal lawmakers once again attempt to pass a bill allowing the beverage to be served under the National School Lunch Program. At the state level, a universal free school meal bill was introduced in Connecticut and Kentucky operators can now receive an award from the state if they use Kentucky products in school meals. 

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation. 

Federal lawmakers make another push to get whole milk back on school menus

Federal lawmakers have introduced a handful of bills that would allow whole milk to once again be served under the National School Lunch Program. Currently, only low-fat or fat free milk is allowed to be served in schools. It can be flavored or unflavored. 

Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) have introduced companion bills H.R.649 and S.222 which would permit whole milk to be served on the lunch line. 

H.R. 649 is currently in the House committee on Education and Workforce and S.222 is currently in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. 

In addition, Representative Claudia Tenney has introduced H.R. 592 which would also permit whole milk in schools. That bill has also been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. 

Lawmakers have made a past attempt at bringing back whole milk in schools. 

In 2023, the U.S. House passed The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, which would allow schools to serve whole milk, however, it was blocked in the Senate. 

Connecticut lawmakers want to bring universal free school meals to the state 

Connecticut lawmakers have introduced a bill that would provide free meals at school each day to public school students in the state. 

Under S.B. 1217, all public school students will receive free breakfast and lunch at school regardless of their family’s income level. The bill has been referred to the joint Committee on Children. 

If signed into law, the state will join others including California and Maine in providing universal free school meals.

Connecticut currently covers the cost of meals at school for students who qualify for reduced-price meals. 

Kentucky program awards schools who use local products in school meals

Kentucky has launched a program that would reward schools who utilize local ingredients on their menus. 

The Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program will award the top three schools in the state that purchase the highest amount of Kentucky to use on school menus. The schools must be a part of the National School Lunch Program and only products grown or raised in the state and served during school breakfast or lunch will count. Milk is not eligible. 

The winners will receive $10,000, $8,000, and $6,000 for first, second, and third place respectively and  will be announced next October.