WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) applauded committee passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, legislation that would allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to resume offering whole and reduced-fat milk while also expanding the option for nutritious nondairy beverages.
The bill was amended and approved by voice vote.
“Milk is an important part of a balanced diet that delivers critical nutrients students need for growth and development. It makes sense for National School Lunch Program operators to have the authority to offer this healthful beverage to students during the school day. I’m proud to lead the committee in advancing this bipartisan solution to expand milk options and encourage increased dairy consumption while supporting America’s hardworking dairy producers,” Boozman said.
“We mark National Dairy Month today by advancing bipartisan legislation to improve children’s access to milk and other healthy beverages through school lunches,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation is good for our kids and it's good for our dairy producers - a win-win.”
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act:
In April, the committee held a hearing with nutrition science experts and school food service administrators who described the need for school-aged students to increase their calcium intake and the important role of the NSLP in helping achieve this goal.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration.