J. David Carlin

Access to nutritious food is a critical contributor to positive health outcomes for all Americans. This is especially true for mothers, infants, and young children who need the vitamins and nutrients that dairy products provide in order to grow and thrive. 

Congress is considering legislation that would once again allow schools to serve whole milk to their students. Earlier this year, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was reintroduced with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. 

After a four-year hiatus, the second Trump administration has hit the ground running, teeing up several proposed policy changes that could impact the dairy industry.

While partisan congressional infighting appears to have delayed the passage of a new Farm Bill until next year, there is still time for Congress to take a small, but meaningful, step forward to help the dairy industry bring its products to market more efficiently.

One of the best parts about working in the dairy industry is knowing that the products we make improve the health and nutrition of so many Americans.

Late last year, the U.S. Congress took a meaningful first step toward allowing schools to once again serve whole milk to their students.

The U.S. dairy industry supports more than 3.2 million American jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages. Unfortunately, hiring and retaining a workforce to fill those jobs and run dairy farms and processing plants year-round is an ongoing challenge.  

The U.S. dairy industry is increasingly reliant on export markets for growth and profitability.

Asking Congress to reauthorize and expand the Healthy Milk Incentives Projects program is first on the list.

A conference on hunger, nutrition, and health takes place this month.