A local lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would allow for flavored and unflavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias across the country.
U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced H.R. 832, also known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019, in order to recognize the importance of milk to the health and well-being of growing children.
The passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 amended nutrition standards in the school lunch program and resulted in a decline in school milk consumption. By making a wider range of options available, this new act will hopefully encourage more milk consumption.
“Milk is the No. 1 source of nine essential nutrients in the diets of our students, but if they don’t drink it these health benefits are lost,” Rep. Thompson said in a statement released Wednesday. “Milk consumption has been declining in schools throughout the nation because kids are not consuming the varieties of milk made available to them. It is my hope that the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will bring a wider range of milk options to American lunchrooms so students can choose the kind they love best.”
Local U.S. Representative Mike Kelly is also an original cosponsor of this legislation. Both lawmakers represent potions of Butler County.
