School milk program - Articles

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Let's Talk Dairy Podcast

Episode 62 — The latest on school milk programs

Cindy Cooper, assistant director of Health and Wellness for Atlanta-based The Dairy Alliance, joins Dairy Foods for Episode 62 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast.

Brian Berk

March 3, 2026

Cindy Cooper, assistant director of Health and Wellness for Atlanta-based The Dairy Alliance, joins Dairy Foods for Episode 62 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast.

Senate Committee Passes Whole Milk for Health Kids Act

Whole and 2% milk expected to return to America’s school cafeterias

December 15, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

School milk provides nutrition and more

Variety in global school milk encourages consumption.

Sharon Gerdes

September 16, 2021

Across the globe, 400 million children consume a meal at school daily. These meals provide more than just good nutrition; in many underdeveloped countries, school lunch is an incentive for children to attend school.

Dairy groups applaud letter urging USDA to make low-fat flavored milk school flexibilities permanent

The letter specifically requests making permanent a current flexibility that allows schools to offer low-fat flavored milk.

May 27, 2021

A bipartisan group of more than 50 members of the U.S. House of Representatives today sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging USDA to address the underconsumption of dairy foods among American school-aged children.

Back to school with low-fat flavored milk

It’s time for the USDA to implement a permanent rule allowing the nutritious product as an option in schools.

Joseph Scimeca

May 13, 2021

The USDA recently announced that schools will be able to serve low-fat flavored milk during the upcoming school year — a relief for the dairy industry and a step in the right direction for children’s nutritional needs and preference for flavored milk.

USDA publishes proposed rule maintaining school meal flexibilities

The rule would maintain flexibility to include flavored low-fat milk in Child Nutrition Programs.

November 24, 2020

USDA said it would publish a proposed rule “maintaining flexibility for schools to serve tasty meals their kids will be eager to eat.”

GENYOUth hires Maureen Bausch to lead emergency school nutrition fund efforts

She will lead and implement the fund’s revenue-generating strategy to meet the demand from school nutrition professionals tasked with feeding the nation’s students during the coronavirus pandemic.

April 17, 2020

GENYOUth, a New York-based nonprofit organization founded by dairy farmers through their checkoff to create healthier schools, said it named Maureen Bausch as chief development officer, GENYOUth COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund.

NMPF, IDFA commend introduction of bipartisan School Milk Nutrition Act

Milk is the leading food source of nine essential nutrients in children’s diets, including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.

June 5, 2019

Milk is the leading food source of nine essential nutrients in children’s diets, including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.

Dairy organizations support legislation allowing whole milk in school meals

International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation said the addition of whole milk to school menus reflects research showing such products benefit children.

January 30, 2019

International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation said the addition of whole milk to school menus reflects research showing such products benefit children.

The dairy difference in school lunches

Gregory Miller

March 9, 2018

Over half of the nation's students participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which serves over 5 billion meals a year. That's a lot of meals, providing the dairy community with a tremendous opportunity to ensure that the milk and dairy foods experience is maximized.