JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Whole milk and 2% milk will return to school cafeterias after more than a decade.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill allowing schools to serve the higher-fat varieties as part of the Healthy Kids Act.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt always tasted better to me. First grade through college, that\u2019s what I drank while I was in service, too,\u201d said Jon Kelley, an Onslow County resident.<\/p>\n
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called the change the right move for kids, parents, and America\u2019s farmers.<\/p>\n
The change went unnoticed by some residents like Darren Canavan, who said he drank whatever milk schools provided during his time as a student.<\/p>\n
\u201cI drank whatever milk they gave us. Whatever that was back in the 70\u2019s,\u201d Canavan said.<\/p>\n
Kelley recalled his children having more options when they attended school.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy kids got a choice, they got whole milk or skim, and they usually choose whole milk also,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The change could affect millions of students nationwide, particularly those who rely on school meals for a large part of their daily nutrition.<\/p>\n
Schools are not required to offer whole milk under the new law but now have the option to do so. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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