Schrier proposes a bill to serve reduced fat and whole milk

Kim Schrier, D-WA, introduced legislation to improve the quality and nutrition of school lunches by allowing public schools to serve reduced fat and whole milk. 

“As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health, well-being, and development,” said Congresswoman Schrier in a press release. “A healthy diet early in life leads to proper physical growth and improved academic performance and can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets and contains essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. This bill gives schools the option of providing the types of milk most kids prefer to drink.”

Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, whole milk is prohibited in school lunches. The act changed nutrition standards and regulated milk to be at most 1% fat. 

The proposed legislation H.R. 649, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would amend the nutrition standards and allow schools to serve 2% flavored and unflavored reduced-fat milk and whole milk. 

"Federal policy, based on flawed, outdated science has kept whole milk out of school cafeterias for more than a decade," said Congressman Thompson, co-sponsor of the bill in a press release. "Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that supplement growth and health, two key factors contributing to academic success. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 provides schools the flexibility they need to offer a variety of options while supporting students and America’s hard-working dairy farmers.”  

According to a press release by Schrier’s team, The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is supported by Darigold, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the International Dairy Foods Association.