(Gray News) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on May 8 that it will start offering whole and 2% milk options again in federal child nutrition programs, including school lunch programs.
According to a USDA press release, it is the final implementation of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which President Donald Trump signed in January.
FILE – A student drinks milk in the cafeteria area of an elementary school in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015.(Jae C. Hong | AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
“President Trump promised to Make America Healthy Again, and restoring whole milk to schools is a major step toward delivering on that promise,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said in a press release.
USDA said the move will provide students with “nutrient-dense dairy options” that align with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.
“USDA is proud to implement the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and give schools the flexibility to serve real, wholesome milk options that help children grow, learn, and thrive,” Rollins said.
It also said providing whole milk is in line with current consumer preferences and will help support U.S. dairy farmers.
The implementation of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is the latest part of USDA’s multi-year process of updating school lunches and child nutrition programs to meet the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Copyright 2026 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.