WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1147, known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation aims to promote the health, development, and education of young people by providing students, parents, and food service providers with the flexibility and choice of milk options needed for nutritious meals.
Chairwoman Virginia Foxx of the Education and the Workforce Committee expressed her support for the bill, stating, "Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would be a critical step towards empowering parents and securing our children's well-being. Whole milk isn't just a beverage; it's a vital source of nutrients essential for children's growth. Denying access to its calcium, vitamin D, and protein threatens to inhibit their development."
Foxx also pointed out concerns regarding the opposition to milk, stating, "To the anti-milk advocates, I have one thing to ask of you. What do you have against milk? If you scrutinize them closely enough, you might be convinced that Democrats are waging a war on dairy."
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson emphasized the importance of milk in a well-rounded diet, saying, "Milk is an essential building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, offering 13 essential nutrients and numerous health benefits. However, out-of-touch and outdated federal regulations have imposed restrictions on the types of milk students have access to in school meals."
Thompson expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, stating, "I am pleased to see my bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act pass out of the United States House of Representatives, and I ultimately look forward to restoring access to these nutritious beverages in schools across the country."
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act aims to correct the restrictions imposed on milk choice in school meals. It allows schools to serve all types of milk, including whole and 2 percent. This gives school food service providers the flexibility and choice needed to create nutritious lunches that students will enjoy.
The bill also recognizes the importance of parental and student choice in rounding out a nutritious lunch with a popular and palatable beverage.
By passing this bill, Congress hopes to ensure that children have access to the nutritional foundation they need to thrive and become healthy, vibrant leaders of tomorrow.
Overall, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act seeks to address the limitations placed on milk options in school cafeterias and provide students with a wider range of choices for their meals. This bipartisan effort acknowledges the significance of milk as a source of essential nutrients and aims to empower parents in making decisions about their children's nutrition.
To find out more, go to this link: https://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409902
