WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has voiced her support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan legislation that aims to provide school food service providers with simplicity, flexibility, and choice in serving all types of milk, including whole and 2 percent milk.

In her remarks on the House Floor, Chairwoman Foxx highlighted the significance of whole milk during the Christmas season and its nutritional benefits for Santa Claus. She stated, "The nutrients in whole milk—like protein, calcium, and vitamin D—provide the fuel Santa needs to travel the whole globe in one night. Whole milk is the unsung hero of his Christmas journey."

Chairwoman Foxx then questioned why whole milk is not an option for American schoolchildren in their lunchrooms. She expressed her support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias. Currently, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program only allows low-fat and fat-free milk options, excluding 2 percent and whole milk from the daily diets of children.

Addressing the arguments against whole milk, Chairwoman Foxx emphasized that milk has 13 essential nutrients necessary for children to live healthy lives and succeed in school. She also highlighted research showing that whole milk is associated with a neutral or lower risk of heart disease and obesity.

Chairwoman Foxx criticized the contradiction within the USDA's policies, acknowledging the risk of children under consuming dairy while limiting milk options for young children. She stated, "If Americans have learned anything from these past three years, it’s that scientific authorities tend to contradict themselves. The truth is that whole milk is a significant source of vital nutrients for children’s growth and development. The federal bureaucracy should never stand in between your children and a nutritious lunch."

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, according to Chairwoman Foxx, is not about advocating for one type of milk over another but about providing parents, schools, and food service providers with the option to choose what's best for children's nutrition. She emphasized that the bill aims to restore the availability of a wholesome, natural option that has been a staple for generations.

In conclusion, Chairwoman Foxx urged for the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, stating, "This bill is about choice. It's a chance to empower parents and schools to make informed choices about what goes into our children's diets. Whether it’s the nutritional foundation for Santa’s journey or your child’s math homework, let’s not discount the benefits of whole milk."

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is a significant step towards providing greater flexibility and choice in milk options for school meals, empowering parents and schools to make informed decisions about children's nutrition. With the recognition of whole milk's nutritional value and the need to address contradictory policies, this bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that children have access to the vital nutrients necessary for their growth and development.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409892