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Spanberger Helps Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Whole Milk in School Cafeterias, Keep Virginia Kids Healthy

Feb 28, 2023
Agriculture
Education
Press

The “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” Would Allow Flavored and Unflavored Whole Milk in Participating Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped reintroduce a bipartisan bill to allow unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in Virginia’s school cafeterias.

The Spanberger-cosponsored Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would amend requirements for milk under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National School Lunch Program to allow whole milk to be served in school cafeterias once again. Under current regulations, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are only allowed to serve fat-free or low-fat milk — and only allow fat-free milk to be flavored.

“Federal regulations have barred whole milk in Virginia cafeterias for too long. For Virginia’s kids, whole milk provides a variety of nutrients — like calcium, potassium, and vitamin D,” said Spanberger, the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. “By allowing school cafeterias to provide students with a full selection of milk, our students would have access to more of the essential vitamins and minerals they need as they grow, learn, and build healthy habits. I’m proud to support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act — because Democrats and Republicans should agree on the need to support healthy kids, strengthen opportunities for dairy producers, and make sure milk remains an important part of a nutritious diet.”

Whole milk provides many health benefits to children — including better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes. According to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, milk is a source of 75 percent of chronically under-consumed nutrients. No other beverage naturally comes close to this nutritional value.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is led by U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08).

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