Overview
- President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on Jan. 14, reversing a 2012 policy that limited school meals to skim and low‑fat milk.
- The law allows schools to offer whole and 2% milk alongside reduced‑fat and fat‑free options, restoring menu flexibility cited by agriculture officials.
- Schools may serve plant‑based milks that meet milk’s nutritional standards, and a parental note now qualifies students for a nondairy alternative.
- The change tracks with the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines that highlight full‑fat dairy in healthy eating patterns, while overall saturated fat intake remains capped at 10% of daily calories.
- Rollout will vary across districts serving about 30 million students as administrators assess demand, pricing, and supply, with supporters also pointing to potential gains for dairy farmers.