WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today announced the House's passage of the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, legislation he cosponsored to expand access to milk options produced by local farmers in schools. Mannion voted for the bill in the Education and the Workforce Committee and again on the House floor. The bill now moves to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) said, "As a teacher for almost thirsty years, I saw firsthand how proper nutrition supports student success. In the State Senate, I helped establish New York's free school meals program, and I carry that mission with me in Congress. I proudly cosponsored and voted for the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to help students learn, grow stronger, and expand the bottom line for NY-22 dairy farmers. This legislation allows schools the flexibility to offer milk that kids want to drink, supports local dairy industries across the country, and gives our students the diets they need to thrive in the classroom."

Since 2012, federal regulations have prohibited schools from serving whole milk, leading to a significant decline in school milk consumption. Between 2014 and 2016, schools served 213 million fewer half-pints of milk, despite rising public school enrollment. Today, children over the age of four are not meeting the recommended daily dairy intake as outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans-a concerning trend given the well-documented benefits of milk consumption, including stronger bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act does not require schools to change the milk they serve, but rather gives local schools more options to purchase whole milk from local dairy farmers, ensuring that school meal programs can be tailored to meet students' nutritional needs and preferences. Additionally, the bill provides more options for students with dietary restrictions.

In the New York State legislature, Congressman Mannion led efforts to ease government regulations during a nationwide milk carton shortage to allow schools to continue to serve milk to students.

According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the dairy industry is the largest single segment of New York's agricultural industry. The state has more than 3,500 dairy farms, is the fifth largest producer of milk, and is the largest producer of yogurt and cottage cheese. The dairy community in New York includes both large dairy operations and small, family run farms. It also boasts processing facilities of various types and sizes, from major global processing companies to small artisanal dairy product makers.

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