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
Alan Bjerga, Senior Vice President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shares updates and resources available to dairy producers.
October 28, 2025 02:03 PM
·
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio, discusses President Trump’s move to halt trade talks with Canada and Mexico over a commercial about tariffs launched by the Government of Ontario.
October 28, 2025 12:04 PM
·
Input costs are top of mind for farmers, as they contribute to higher prices and smaller profits.
October 28, 2025 12:00 PM
·
The review signals renewed scrutiny of China’s agricultural trade pledges and could reshape farm export opportunities depending on its outcome.
October 28, 2025 11:20 AM
·
The U.S.-Japan tech pact signals long-term investment in bio-innovation, connectivity, and secure supply chains — all of which can strengthen rural manufacturing, ag exports, and digital infrastructure critical to the next generation of farm productivity.
October 28, 2025 11:01 AM
·
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
October 27, 2025 11:41 AM
·
Stay alert for trade announcements—especially border reopening timelines, tariff threats, and developments in Brazil’s export flows.
October 24, 2025 01:56 PM
·
For aging operators and their rural neighbors, staying socially engaged is a practical strategy to preserve decision-making capacity and farm vitality.
October 24, 2025 01:37 PM
·
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.
October 23, 2025 12:10 PM
·
