Following a concerted, multi-year campaign to end federal rules forcing schools to place milk on students’ trays, even when they could not safely consume it, the recent passage of legislation (S. 222 – The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act) in Congress has ended the 80-year-long federal school “milk mandate.”

Both Maine senators served as co-sponsors. As approved, S. 222 expands the availability of plant-based milk in the National School Lunch program — such as soy, oat or almond milk, as part of their regular cafeteria offerings — and requires schools to provide a nutritionally sound, non-dairy beverage to lactose-intolerant students with a note from a parent, guardian or licensed physician. Schools may also offer whole, 2%, 1% or no-fat milk. 

According to USDA data, nearly 30% of milk cartons were discarded each year, resulting in massive waste of milk, taxpayer dollars and disregard for the labor cows endure in production.

This legislation represents a huge win for the welfare of dairy cows, ending a decades-long government policy subjecting millions of cows to intensive, high-output production systems designed to meet government-driven volume rather than actual consumption. 

Gina Garey
Maine state director, Animal Wellness Action
Portland