[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H307-H308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ACCESSING MILK AS A VITAL PART OF SCHOOL NUTRITION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a 
critical gap in school nutrition affecting students across this great 
Nation.
  Today, I will introduce the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a much-
needed win for students, parents, schools, and dairy farmers across 
America.
  This bipartisan legislation expands milk options in school milk 
programs to include whole and 2 percent milk. It addresses a critical 
gap in child nutrition. We all know that milk is an essential source of 
13 vital nutrients, including several underconsumed nutrients such as 
calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. These are foundational for building 
strong bones, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and supporting 
overall development.
  However, in order for kids to benefit from these nutrients, they need 
to actually consume the milk. As we all know, kids deserve options and 
choice when it comes to choosing milk at lunchtime. Unfortunately, 
thanks to a flawed Federal policy based on outdated science, since 2012 
schools have been prohibited from serving whole or reduced fat milk in 
school lunchrooms.
  We all know whole milk tastes the best because it is the best. It is 
long overdue that kids in our Nation's schools have access to the most 
naturally nutritious beverage available to them. According to the 
dietary guidelines for Americans, nearly 90 percent of Americans 
including our children fail to meet their daily dairy intake 
recommendations.
  Thanks to the Federal ban on whole milk, we have lost an entire 
generation of milk drinkers. Along with them, hardworking dairy farmers 
across this country have suffered. When students are presented with 
limited, unpopular milk options, they drink less milk and are more 
likely to turn to sugary, caffeinated alternatives that offer little 
nutritional value.
  Research has repeatedly shown that whole and 2 percent milk are not 
only not responsible for childhood obesity, but several studies show 
that children who consume whole milk are less likely to experience 
obesity and have healthier levels of body fat. Since whole milk was 
banned from school lunches, body mass index scores, rates of obesity, 
and the prevalence of diabetes among young people have increased 
significantly. According to one case study, childhood obesity rates 
climbed 13 percentage points between 2008 and 2020.
  Clearly, whole milk was not the problem when it came to childhood 
obesity. Emerging science supports what many parents already know. 
Whole milk is a nutritious and satisfying option for their children. 
Whole milk for healthy kids doesn't mandate schools to serve whole milk 
or for any student to drink milk but, rather, gives them the 
flexibility to meet the preferences and nutritional needs of their 
students.

[[Page H308]]

  Importantly, this bill aligns with parental choice, empowering 
schools to offer a wider range of milk options that mirror what kids 
enjoy at home. This is not just about nutrition, it is about 
practicality. Low-income children who rely on school meals for a 
majority of their daily dairy intake deserve access to nutritious and 
appealing options.
  By reintroducing whole and reduced fat milk to school lunchrooms, we 
can combat food waste, support local dairy farmers, and ensure that our 
children are well-fed and ready to learn. This crucial legislation 
already has broad support from the farming community, school groups, 
Members across the aisle, and Senators across the Capitol.
  I especially thank my partner on this legislation here in the House, 
Dr. Kim Schrier, as well as my Senate counterparts, Roger Marshall, 
Peter Welch, David McCormick, and John Fetterman, for joining me in 
introducing this commonsense effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce this commonsense solution that 
provides essential nutrients to our Nation's youth and supports 
America's dairy farmers. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

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