One Step Closer to Whole Milk for Healthy Kids
John Newton, Ph.D.
Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act recently passed the Senate. Chad Smith has more on the important first step in the process.
Smith: Dairy farmers and school children received some welcome news this week, with the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said this legislation is long overdue, and will allow kids to make healthy choices at breakfast and lunch.
Newton: [The bill will] Finally allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer flavored and unflavored, organic, or non-organic, whole, reduced fat, low-fat, and fat-free fluid milk. It really expands the opportunities and products available to children as they consider having dairy on their lunch plate.
Smith: It’s been proven that whole milk choices are healthy for students.
Newton: They contribute to healthy children and healthy outcomes. American Farm Bureau dairy farmer members have been pushing for this for a very, very, very long time, and I think seeing the Senate passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is going to be welcome news in the dairy world and really across the farm economy.
Smith: Newton said there were some key champions shepherding the bill through the Senate, and now it heads to the second legislative chamber.
Newton: Without those leaders in the Senate pushing this over the finish line, I don't think we'd be having this conversation today. Well, now it goes right back over to the House, and we've already seen Chairman Thompson pledge to get this over the finish line in the House so it can go to the President's desk. We all know how important whole milk back in schools is going to be.
Smith:Learn more at fb.org. Chad Smith, Washington.
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