House Approves Whole Milk Return to School Lunch Programs

Historic Vote Brings Whole Milk Back to Schools

This week the House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 with overwhelming support. This legislation, which previously cleared the Senate in November, aims to restore whole and 2% milk options to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. After years of restrictions limiting schools to only low-fat and skim milk, this bill marks a significant shift in school nutrition policy, now heading to President Donald J. Trump’s desk for his signature.

The move reverses a policy set in 2010 under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which mandated that flavored milk in schools be fat-free and restricted overall milk options to low-fat varieties. Supporters of the new bill argue that whole milk provides essential nutrients for growing children, and its return will benefit both students and the dairy industry. U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson, a key advocate for the legislation, stated, 'I have worked for a decade to restore whole milk to our school cafeterias, which have been limiting healthy choices for students, but that changes today.'

Support from Lawmakers and Dairy Industry

The passage of this bill has garnered bipartisan support, reflecting a shared belief in providing more nutritional choices for students. Representative Tracey Mann, a cosponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of empowering parents over bureaucrats, saying, 'Washington, D.C. should empower parents, not Washington bureaucrats, to make decisions for their children.' This sentiment resonates with many who see the bill as a step toward common-sense policy in school nutrition.

The dairy industry has also celebrated the House’s decision. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) noted the significance of the vote, highlighting that it clears the way for whole and 2% milk to return to schools. This change is seen as a boost for dairy farmers who have faced challenges due to previous restrictions on milk fat content in school programs.

Senator Roger Marshall, who first introduced the legislation in 2023 and saw it advance through the Senate Agriculture Committee earlier this year, has been a driving force behind the effort. His commitment to bringing whole milk back to school cafeterias underscores the bill’s importance to both health and agriculture sectors.

Impact on Students and Future Outlook

With the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, schools will now have the flexibility to offer flavored and unflavored whole, 2%, low-fat, and fat-free milk options, whether organic or nonorganic. Additionally, the bill allows parents or legal guardians, alongside licensed physicians, to provide written statements for milk substitutes in cases of dietary restrictions due to disabilities. This provision aims to ensure that all students’ needs are met while expanding access to a broader range of milk choices.

The legislation’s journey to President Trump’s desk is viewed as a victory for those advocating for nutritional freedom in schools. As the bill awaits final approval, there is optimism that it will support healthier outcomes for children and provide a much-needed lift to America’s dairy producers. This policy shift is a testament to the persistence of lawmakers like Representative Thompson and Senator Marshall in prioritizing the well-being of future generations.