New Legislation Aims to Expand Milk Choices in School Lunch Programs

On January 23, 2025, the U.S. Senate received S. 222: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which currently has 12 cosponsors.

Here’s a summary of the bill:

1. Expanded Whole Milk Options

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act allows participating schools to offer whole milk alongside various other milk options, including:

• Flavored and unflavored organic or non-organic whole milk
• Reduced-fat milk
• Low-fat milk
• Fat-free milk
• Lactose-free milk

2. New Guidelines for Milk Choices

In the past, restrictions limited the types of milk offered in schools. This amendment grants more flexibility, enabling schools to provide a wider range of milk options for students.

3. Involvement of Parents and Guardians

The bill expands who can consent to students receiving specific types of milk. Parents and legal guardians can now also provide consent, fostering greater parental involvement in nutritional decisions at school.

4. Classification of Milk Fat

It is specified that milk fat from any fluid milk served under these new guidelines will not count as saturated fat in relation to meal compliance regulations. Consequently, whole milk will not hinder adherence to dietary guidelines concerning saturated fat.

5. Focused Audience

The legislation primarily targets school-aged children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. By offering more types of milk, the bill aims to meet students’ nutritional needs and food preferences.

6. Process for Implementation

This bill has been forwarded to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for further evaluation. If approved, it would revise regulations governing school lunch programs and their fluid milk offerings.

7. Goals of the Legislation

The main goal of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 is to encourage healthier dietary options in schools by providing access to whole milk. The bill also seeks to improve the variety of milk available while actively supporting parental engagement in their children’s nutrition.

Companies to Watch

• AmeriCold Realty Trust (COLD)
  – This company may be affected by changes in demand for types of milk supplied to schools.
• Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ)
  – As a dairy product producer, Mondelez could experience shifts based on changes in school nutrition programs.
• PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)
  – PepsiCo may feel the impact on its dairy product offerings if the bill influences milk consumption trends in schools.

This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative’s disclaimers for more information.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.