WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — A bipartisan effort to bring whole milk back to public school cafeterias is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. The Senate has unanimously passed the “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” clearing the way for the House to take up the measure in the coming days.
The bill would give schools the option to once again serve whole and 2% milk — choices that were removed from cafeterias more than a decade ago. The legislation keeps existing 1% varieties in place and continues to allow flavored milk options for students.
Senator Roger Marshall, R-KS, a longtime advocate for expanding milk offerings in schools and a frequent guest on Market Day Report, championed the bill. If the House approves the bill, it will head to President Trump’s desk for final consideration. Marshall joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the legislation, what it means for schools, and why he made it a priority.
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Sen. Marshall explained how the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would expand options in public schools and why he believes students would benefit nutritionally from having fuller-fat options available, what motivated him to push this bill forward now, and how the legislation could support dairy farmers across the country.
Marshall also reflected on a lighthearted viral moment from the Senate floor — where he was seen chugging milk to celebrate the bill’s progress — and shared what comes next as the legislation moves to the House. He also outlined what implementation could look like for schools should the measure become law.
Dairy Industry Celebrates Win for Producers and Student Nutrition
Dairy groups across the country are applauding a major policy win as the Senate advances the “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” a bill that would once again allow public schools to serve whole and 2% milk. The move marks a significant step forward for an effort the dairy industry has championed for more than a decade.
Industry leaders say the change could help improve childhood nutrition while supporting U.S. dairy farmers facing ongoing market challenges. The International Dairy Foods Association called the vote a “watershed moment” for both student health and dairy farm families.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the excitement surrounding the bill, what prompted the original removal of whole and 2% milk from schools, and how the updated offerings could impact both students and dairy producers. In his interview with RFD-TV News, Bjerga reflected on the enthusiasm from dairy farmers nationwide, calling the Senate vote a long-awaited moment for the industry. He explained the history behind the 2012 restrictions, noting the nutritional debate that led to the shift and the ripple effects it had on the milk market.
Bjerga also highlighted how reinstating whole and 2% milk could benefit school nutrition programs by providing more options children enjoy, while simultaneously boosting demand for dairy products. Looking ahead, he discussed expectations as the bill heads to the House, where supporters hope it will receive the same broad bipartisan backing it earned in the Senate.
