JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Whole milk and 2% milk will return to school cafeterias after more than a decade.
President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill allowing schools to serve the higher-fat varieties as part of the Healthy Kids Act.
The milk options were phased out of school lunches more than a decade ago under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which aimed to reduce childhood obesity levels.
“It always tasted better to me. First grade through college, that’s what I drank while I was in service, too,” said Jon Kelley, an Onslow County resident.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called the change the right move for kids, parents, and America’s farmers.
The change went unnoticed by some residents like Darren Canavan, who said he drank whatever milk schools provided during his time as a student.
“I drank whatever milk they gave us. Whatever that was back in the 70’s,” Canavan said.
Kelley recalled his children having more options when they attended school.
“My kids got a choice, they got whole milk or skim, and they usually choose whole milk also,” he said.
The change could affect millions of students nationwide, particularly those who rely on school meals for a large part of their daily nutrition.
Schools are not required to offer whole milk under the new law but now have the option to do so.
The law also allows schools to serve nondairy milk that meets nutritional standards and requires them to offer nondairy alternatives for students with dietary restrictions.
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