WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025—The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry House today passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in 2025—a bill that would allow for whole (3.25%) and reduced-fat (2%) milk to once again be served in school cafeterias—by voice vote with no objections. Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released the following statement applauding the Committee vote:
“Today’s strong, bipartisan passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in the Senate Agriculture Committee demonstrates the widespread support the bill enjoys in Congress, and among parents, nutritionists and school meals professionals alike. After more than a decade of waiting, it’s time to lift the ban on whole and 2% milk and give children more nutritious choices in school cafeterias. IDFA is grateful to U.S. Sens. Marshall, Welch, McCormick, Fetterman, and the 12 additional Senate bill cosponsors for their leadership on this issue. We urge the full Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.”
The vote follows an IDFA letter—signed by 64 of IDFA’s dairy processing members—urging the Senate Agriculture Committee to pass this important legislation.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was approved by the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee with a strong, bipartisan vote of 24-10 in February. The bill now awaits passage by the full Senate and the full House of Representatives. Join IDFA in advocating for this important legislation at www.idfa.org/wholemilkcampaign.
Background
Whole and 2% milk provide children with 13 essential nutrients for growth, development, healthy immune function, and overall wellness. Since whole and 2% milk were banned from school meals menus more than a decade ago, school milk consumption and meal participation have declined, meaning children are consuming fewer essential nutrients. This is especially concerning considering underconsumption of milk and dairy products is prevalent among school-aged children, where between 68% and 94% of school-age boys and girls are failing to meet recommended levels of dairy intake per federal guidelines.
Recent national polling by Morning Consult, commissioned by IDFA, shows 91% of parents serve their children whole or 2% milk at home, and 81% of them support Congress passing legislation to reinstate these options in school meals.
Nutrition science has evolved in the past decade to show neutral or positive benefits of full-fat dairy foods such as whole milk, including less weight gain, neutral or lower risk of heart disease, and lower childhood obesity. Learn more about the importance of milk—especially whole and 2% milk—in the diets of healthy children at www.wholemilkforkids.com.
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Contact: press@idfa.org
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.