FOX LAKE, WI — Dairy farmers across Wisconsin are celebrating new federal legislation that will bring whole milk back to school cafeterias nationwide, marking a significant shift in both nutrition policy and agricultural economics.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, supported by the Trump administration, reverses longstanding federal restrictions that have limited schools to serving only low-fat and skim milk options. The change comes as new federal dietary guidelines released this week encourage Americans to consume more whole milk, departing from recommendations that have discouraged it since 1990.
Katie Schultz, who operates Tri-Fecta Farms in Fox Lake with her siblings, said the legislation represents more than just a business opportunity for Wisconsin’s dairy industry.
“I was mostly excited as a mom. My daughter is in sixth grade. The skim milk isn’t what her palette likes. And so when we heard it was going to be available in the school, it was so exciting,” Schultz said. “I’m so excited for kids to have such an incredible, healthy option for them to choose while they’re at school,”
The policy change addresses a gap that has existed in school nutrition programs for more than three decades. Federal dietary guidelines have classified whole milk as unhealthy since 1990, leading to its removal from most school meal programs across the country.
For Wisconsin farmers, the legislation opens a significant new market for their products.
“This is just a huge win for dairy. The more that we can see, people continue to drive demand for dairy and make sure that we have outlets for our milk and places for people to consume that nutritious product, that’s a win across the board,” Schultz said.
The new law also expands options for students with dietary restrictions. Schultz noted that the change benefits students who may be lactose intolerant or have lactose sensitivity, providing them with additional choices in school meal programs.
“It’s really giving all kids a choice, and it’s giving kids that are maybe lactose intolerant, or have a sensitivity to lactose. They’re getting more options too,” she said.
Wisconsin’s dairy industry has long been central to the state’s agricultural economy and cultural identity. The state produces more than 3 billion gallons of milk annually and ranks among the top dairy-producing states in the nation.
Schultz emphasized the importance of supporting local dairy production, encouraging consumers to look for Wisconsin-made products when shopping.
“When you go to the store, not only are you looking for milk, but also looking at cheeses and looking for those proudly Wisconsin symbols on it. I think you know that your milk and cheese and other dairy products, whether that’s a yogurt or a butter, is coming from the family farms here in Wisconsin. It’s important to make sure we continue to support local but support dairy across the board,” she said.
The Trump administration’s broader dietary recommendations include encouraging Americans to consume more milk and cheese products, a policy shift that particularly benefits dairy-heavy states like Wisconsin.
For farming families like the Schultz family, the legislation represents both economic opportunity and personal satisfaction, knowing that students will have access to what they consider a nutritious option that has been missing from school cafeterias for decades.
“When we look at what makes Wisconsin so unique, it’s not just the incredible family farms, but it’s also all of those farms in those communities and those businesses that support it as well,” Schultz said.
Marin Rosen, channel 2000 News
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC – PO Box 9771 – Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
[ Report Abuse | Bookmark ]
THE ARTFUL DILETTANTE 