WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Restoring whole milk in school meals matters because it strengthens child nutrition choices while adding steady demand for U.S. dairy products that anchor many rural economies. President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on Wednesday, formally allowing schools to offer whole milk again under federal nutrition programs.
The law aligns school meals with the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030, which reintroduced full-fat dairy as part of a healthy dietary pattern. Supporters say the change reflects updated nutrition science and responds to concerns that prior low-fat restrictions reduced milk consumption among students.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the policy supports both families and dairy producers, noting that whole milk offers nutritional value while reinforcing domestic dairy markets. Rollins also highlighted broader administration efforts to stabilize farm income and improve food affordability, citing recent declines in retail dairy prices.
The bipartisan legislation received support from lawmakers on both the House and Senate agriculture committees. The USDA has already issued implementation guidance to school nutrition officials and will proceed with revisions to Child Nutrition Program rules.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.
November 19, 2025 12:31 PM
·
Cattle and hog supplies continue to tighten while dairy output expands, creating a split outlook in which red-meat prices soften and milk values come under pressure from larger supplies.
November 18, 2025 03:02 PM
·
Firm live cow prices and shifting dairy-side culling suggest cull cow values may stay stronger than usual this winter despite weaker cow beef cutout trends.
November 18, 2025 01:02 PM
·
Shawn Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report with the latest news from Canada impacting the ag sector.
November 18, 2025 12:47 PM
·
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
November 18, 2025 11:56 AM
·
The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
November 18, 2025 10:58 AM
·
UMN Extension’s Emily Krekelberg outlines today’s top farm stressors, key signs of mental health distress in rural communities, and the resources available for support.
November 17, 2025 03:12 PM
·
National Pork Board Chief Sustainability Officer Jamie Burr shares a closer look at the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Report, a research program to increase trust in the pork supply chain.
November 17, 2025 02:03 PM
·
Brooks York with Agrisompo joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with some guidance on how producers can navigate their crop insurance claims for unsold grain crops.
November 17, 2025 01:46 PM
·
