Dairy Leaders Celebrate Senate Vote to Bring Whole Milk Back to Schools

A bill that would allow schools to serve whole and 2% milk passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate Thursday.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which will now be considered by the House of Representatives, revises requirements surrounding milk served by schools participating in USDA’s National School Lunch Program.

The bill was introduced in January this year by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, R-Kan., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., along with U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., and Kim Schrier, D-Wash.

Current regulations require participating schools to serve low-fat or fat-free milk. The legislation passed by the Senate would permit schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk. Under the bill, fluid milk would not count toward the USDA regulation that the saturated fat content of a school meal must be less than 10% of the meal’s total calories.

The bill would also allow parents or legal guardians to request, via a written statement, a substitute for fluid milk for a student with a diet restriction. Current regulations require the written statement to come from a licensed physician. 

According to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), whole milk and 2% milk were pulled from school meal programs starting in 2012 “as part of an effort to slow obesity in American kids that was based on science and nutrition advice that is now outdated.” 

“Research over the past decade has found that milk at all fat levels has a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes, ranging from obesity and diabetes to heart disease,” said NMPF.

NMPF and other agricultural groups and politicians have celebrated the legislation’s passage. Here’s a closer look.  

American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall “applauded” the bill’s passage in a statement Thursday.

“This is a win-win for kids and dairy farmers because the nutritional benefits of whole milk are now broadly known. By lifting the restrictions on whole and reduced-fat 2% milk in schools, kids have more access to important protein, calcium, and vitamins. Because school milk accounts for almost 8% of fluid milk demand, it’s a significant market driver, too.

“Many thanks to the bipartisan leadership from Sens. Welch and Marshall as well as that from Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar for getting the bill across the finish line in the Senate. I urge the House to act quickly to get it to President Trump’s desk.

“This vote follows letters from AFBF to the president and Congress that, among other priorities, urged for the restoration of whole milk in schools to ensure children have access to nutritious dairy products. The availability of whole milk in schools is a step toward helping the struggling agricultural economy. We look forward to working with Congress and President Trump to advance priorities that benefit families and America’s farmers.”

International Dairy Foods Association 

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry and advocates on their behalf to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to innovate and thrive.

IDFA celebrated the Senate’s “landmark passage” and urged “swift house action” in a press release Thursday.

“The long wait is nearly over! We’re closer than ever to bringing whole milk back to schools!” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA.

“Today’s Senate passage is a watershed moment for children’s health and for the dairy farmers, processors, parents, and nutrition advocates who have fought for decades to restore whole and 2% milk to school meals. Whole and 2% milk are wholesome, nutritious options that kids love, and today’s passage gets us one step closer to restoring them to American schools.

“IDFA is deeply grateful to Sens. Roger Marshall and Peter Welch for leading the bill and to Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chair John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar for shepherding it through the Senate process. The bipartisan momentum behind this bill is undeniable. We look forward to working with Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Rep. Kim Schrier, and the 116 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House to advance the Senate-passed bill to the President without delay.”

National Milk Producers Federation

NMPF develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.

In a statement Thursday, NMPF “celebrated” the legislation’s passage in the Senate.

“Restoring schools’ option to offer whole and reduced-fat milk will mean more schoolkids will get the essential nutrients they need,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said. “This commonsense legislation will help American children get back on solid nutritional footing. We’re grateful that both sides of the aisle can come together and agree on the importance of making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children.”

“We thank Senators Marshall and Welch for their passionate advocacy for getting this bill over the finish line in committee and on the floor. Their leadership made this win possible,” Doud said.

“With Senate approval, the next step is House passage. A similar bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in 2023 but stalled in the Senate. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, has led the charge in the House on this issue for years, with Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA, as coauthor, and this bill is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support once again,” NMPF’s statement concluded.

U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson

Pennsylvania Republican Glenn “GT” Thompson is the Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

Thompson “celebrated” the Senate’s actions Thursday in a press release.

“For far too long, milk has been unfairly vilified, and it has deprived an entire generation of students of the 13 essential nutrients that support healthy development and academic success,“ Thompson said. ”I’m encouraged to see the Senate advance my commonsense, bipartisan bill. I look forward to passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in the House and sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”

U.S. Senator John Boozman

John Boozman is Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator and the chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. 

“Passage of this bipartisan bill moves us closer to ensuring students have access to the nutritious beverages they need for healthy growth. I’m proud of our collaboration to advance this commonsense solution to expand school milk options, encourage increased dairy consumption, and support America’s hardworking dairy producers,” Boozman said in a statement Friday.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar is Minnesota’s senior U.S. Senator and the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. 

“We are advancing bipartisan legislation that will improve children’s access to milk and other healthy beverages through school lunches,” said Klobuchar in a statement Friday. “This legislation is good for our kids and it’s good for our dairy producers — a win-win.”