Good news for dairy and for students! Effective June 8, 2026, schools can once again offer whole and 2% milk for breakfast, lunch, and other school meal programs. As the new school year approaches, American Dairy Association North East continues to communicate with schools – of all sizes – across the region to encourage them to include whole and 2% milk with breakfast and lunch meals.
We have reached out to school food-decision makers – school nutrition directors, superintendents, school district leadership and others – to explain updated regulations, nutritional benefits, and new milk choices. We provide resources for schools to help explain the changes and milk choices available to students and parents. These include posters for the cafeteria, downloadable signage, social media graphics and ready-to-use posts, one-on-one planning support, and articles in school nutrition publications.
Earlier this year we provided schools with guidance on how to include whole milk with their milk bid specifications to processors. Some schools are now still awaiting responses and pricing information from milk processors and distributors. For schools that may not offer whole or 2% milk in the fall –we will continue to encourage them to add these options.
We also encourage dairy farmers to continue to advocate for whole and 2% milk in schools.
Share these benefits:
- Increased student satisfaction
- Students have more milk variety–choices they really want
- Increased milk consumption and sales
- Reduced waste–students drink more of the milk they select
- Supports nutrient intake
- Increased school meal participation
Local advocacy and relationship-building matter. Reach out to your school food decision-makers today.
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