Image still of Sen. Marshall from Senate floor

Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., highlighted the bipartisan effort in the Senate to pass legislation allowing schools to serve whole milk, reduced-fat milk, and nutritionally equivalent non-dairy options. The measure, known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, aims to correct a decade-old policy that limited access to whole milk in schools and, according to supporters, contributed to weaker bone development in children.

Sen. Marshall emphasized the nutritional benefits of whole milk, which provides 13 essential nutrients, supports vitamin absorption, promotes fullness during the school day, and helps fight diet-related conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. He described the legislation as a win for students, parents, schools, and American dairy farmers, noting the bill also supports greater choice and flexibility in school meal programs.

The bill has strong bipartisan backing, having been unanimously reported out of the Senate Agriculture Committee earlier this year. Advocates hope it will promote better nutrition in schools while supporting the U.S. dairy industry.

“So here’s the healthy bones, and here’s to all the hard-working dairy farmers across Kansas and across America.”