The Pennsylvania State Grange applauded the decision of the United States Senate to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which had received widespread bipartisan support.

The bill, which passed unanimously, would allow schools to have whole milk and reduced-fat milk in addition to fat-free and 1% options. 

“This is a victory for American parents and their children, as well as a promotion of our state’s proud and resilient dairy industry,” Pennsylvania Grange President Matt Espenshade said. “I am extremely grateful that Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick recognized the importance of this bill to the health and well-being of Pennsylvania’s children, and hopefully one day soon, it will allow them a wide variety of appealing drink options on their lunch trays.”

Espenshade noted that the battle is not over, but that he feels certain that the House will act on the measure as well. Pennsylvania Congressman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, who has been a proponent of the measure for many years, will lead the effort for consideration in the U.S. House. 

Whole milk was last available in schools in 2012. When the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was passed, whole milk was targeted as contributing to childhood obesity and was therefore removed from school lunch programs. Since that time, numerous studies have shown the positive benefits of whole milk, and it is now considered a vital part of a healthy diet.

Pennsylvania State Grange
Mifflintown, PA