Bipartisan bill aims to bring whole milk back to schools

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which would allow schools to serve whole and reduced-fat milk through the National School Lunch Program.

Led by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT), and Representatives G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Kim Schrier (D-WA), the bill seeks to improve children’s nutrition by addressing the nearly 90% of Americans who fail to meet daily dairy intake recommendations.

"Whole milk provides essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, supports strong growth, and tastes good," said Sen. Marshall. Rep. Thompson added, "This gives schools flexibility to offer healthier, more appealing options."

The bill is supported by dairy groups, including the National Milk Producers Federation, which praised it as a "commonsense solution" to improve child health and reduce food waste.