(WASHINGTON D.C.) — On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act provides schools with the flexibility to offer flavored and unflavored whole and 2% milk options, helping ensure children receive the nutrition they need to grow, thrive, and succeed in the classroom.
House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson led this legislation on the House side. He commented on the passage saying “I have worked for a decade to restore whole milk to our school cafeterias, which have been limiting healthy choices for students, but that changes today. Whole milk is an essential building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, and students should have the option to choose the milk they love. I am proud that my bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, passed the House today and now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”
The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, which will cap a years-long effort by the dairy industry and lawmakers to restore access to these milk options in schools.
“As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health and development, and I’m thrilled that my bipartisan bill has passed the House and is heading to the president’s desk,” said Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act co-lead U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA). “Ensuring that our children have access to a healthy diet is fundamental to their physical growth, academic performance, and overall well-being, and can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets and contains essential nutrients that keep them full and healthy. This bill will improve children’s nutrition by allowing schools to provide the types of milk most kids prefer to drink, and I’m eager to see this legislation signed into law.”
“The long wait is over! Whole milk is coming back to schools!” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “Today’s House passage marks a defining victory for children’s health and for the dairy community that has fought for more than a decade to restore whole and 2% milk for our nation’s students. We ask for the President to sign the bill into law so the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can begin working with state governments and school districts across the country to make this law a reality. Our nation’s dairy farmers and processors are ready to work alongside USDA to restore whole milk to every American school.”
Dykes added that “whole and 2% milk are wholesome, nutritious options that kids love. They provide milk’s 13 essential nutrients for growth, development, healthy immune function, and overall wellness. In fact, full-fat dairy foods such as whole milk are tied to a number of health benefits, including less weight gain, neutral or lower risk of heart disease, and lower childhood obesity. ”
“It’s hard to overstate the significance of congressional passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but also because of what it says about how persistent, long-term effort can still bring bipartisan success in Congress,” according to National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud. “We thank Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania and Representative Kim Schrier of Washington for their critical roles in championing the most recent version of this important legislation to the finish line and the many other congressional leaders who preceded them in their efforts to protect access to nutritious milk in schools . Dairy doesn’t succeed without tireless advocates on Capitol Hill, and it’s been an honor to work with these members and their staffs in this effort.”
Doud added that “the next step, after a presidential signature, is implementation. We pledge our fullest support to federal officials and school districts across the nation to help with implementation of this important legislation. Congress made a positive difference today. We are thrilled to be a part of it.”
“Returning whole milk to schools is a win-win for children and dairy farmers,” said Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation. “Students will have more access to important protein and vitamins, and it is a step toward helping the struggling farm economy. Farm Bureau has long advocated for this commonsense legislation, and we appreciate the House for passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025. We look forward to the president quickly sign this bill which will benefit families across America.”
