SCHUMER: BIG NEWS FOR UPSTATE DAIRY FARMERS! SENATOR ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN BILL TO OFFER MORE MILK OPTIONS IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS

Bipartisan Bill Will Allow Unflavored & Flavored, Whole & Reduced Fat Milk To Be Offered To Students In School Cafeterias Across New York State

Schumer Says This Is Win-Win To Support Upstate NY Dairy Farmers And Bring Nutritious New Milk Options To School Cafeterias

Schumer: Got (Whole) Milk? More Milk Options Coming To Students Across New York

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced the Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act he supported, which allows unflavored and flavored whole and reduced-fat milk to be offered in school cafeterias. Schumer highlighted the health benefits of drinking milk and explained that adding more milk options in cafeterias will increase students’ milk consumption.

“Milk is an essential part of our students’ school lunches and the lifeblood of our Upstate NY agricultural economy. I was proud to support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to ensure more milk options are available in school cafeterias across America,” said Senator Schumer. “This is a win-win for local New York dairy farmers who can sell their products and kids who will have more healthy and delicious drink options at lunchtime. I have long fought to boost New York’s dairy industry and will continue fighting to ensure our farmers’ products are widely available.”

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 highlights the health benefits milk provides to students, 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 (DGAs), milk is a source of two under-consumed nutrients, calcium, and vitamin D. In addition, recent scientific and medical research indicates higher-fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes.

Schools participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) school meals program have not been permitted to serve whole milk since 2012. More varieties and options will increase the amount of milk students will drink, allowing them to benefit from the nutritional content of various milk varieties.

The dairy industry is one of New York's largest contributors to the agricultural economy. According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Dairy statistics, there are nearly 3,000 dairy farms in New York that produce over 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. From backing an extension of the Dairy Margin Coverage Program to fund monthly price support payments from the feds to dairy farmers to ensuring Greek yogurt is included in the USDA’s school lunch program, Schumer has long fought for policies that support New York’s dairy farmers and bring expanded healthy options to school cafeterias.

The text of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act can be found HERE.

###