Lawmakers and farm groups are rallying behind the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow schools to serve whole and 2% milk once again. Supporters say the move isn’t just about taste — it’s about nutrition and economics.
“It was really supposed to be on top of efforts to reduce fat consumption,” says American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Danny Munch. “But we realized quickly that it didn’t really relate to modern nutritional science, and that meant whole and two percent milk, the types most families buy at home, were taken off the menu, especially for school kids. Since then, milk consumption in schools has dropped. That’s why there’s been growing momentum to bring that choice back.”
The National Milk Producers Federation says whole milk’s return could help stabilize dairy prices and boost demand for family farms — especially in states like Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where milk is a major part of the ag economy.
Munch adds, “There were 4.86 billion school meals served in 2024 and 85 percent of students grab milk. Skim milk has no grams of fat, and 1% has about 2.5 grams of fat. So, if we switch to 2% and whole milk, that would increase 5.5 to eight grams of butter fat per serving to each of those kids. That would boost returns for dairy farmers, because of that higher value fluid milk market.”
Critics, however, worry that higher-fat options could conflict with existing nutrition standards. But many parents and nutritionists argue that whole milk offers more natural nutrients and keeps kids fuller longer — especially in active, growing years.
“Whole milk is creamier, has better flavor, and it helps them feel full and cuts waste. It delivers 13 essential nutrients that support healthy growth and lifestyles. You also have benefits on the farmer side, too. Local dairies that don’t have costly separators to remove butter fat can now have access to the school system,” says Munch.
If Congress passes the bill, it could mark the first major shift in school milk policy in over a decade — one that gives students a richer choice and gives dairy farmers a much-needed economic lift.
