Gillibrand Statement On Passage Of The Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act

Gillibrand Statement On Passage Of The Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act

Jan 14, 2026

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made the following statement on the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The bill changes the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) current meal program guidelines to permit schools to serve whole milk in addition to reduced-fat and fat-free milk, as well as nutritionally equivalent milk substitutes at the request of a parent or guardian. Senator Gillibrand is an original cosponsor of the bill in the Senate.

"Kids need nutritious meals to learn and thrive, and whole milk provides those critical nutrients. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act invests in children's health and supports New York State's dairy farmers," said Senator Gillibrand. "By allowing schools to offer whole milk and milk substitutes that are equivalent in nutrition, we're making school meals healthier and ensuring that locally produced dairy continues to play a role in feeding the next generation. It's a win for students, schools, and New York agriculture."

New York State is the fifth-largest producer of dairy in the country, and the dairy industry is New York's largest agricultural sector. New York's nearly 2,800 dairy farms produce 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, representing over 7% of total U.S. milk production.

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