Press Releases

Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which will allow for unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias through the National School Lunch Program. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) and cosponsored by Pingree, highlights the many health benefits and nutrients milk provides to young Americans, including better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes. According to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, milk is a source of three out of four under-consumed nutrients – calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. No other beverage naturally comes close to this level of nutritional value.

“Rich in calcium and vitamin D, milk is an essential part of children’s growth and development. There is simply no reason why schools should not have the option to offer whole milk to its students. Further, whole milk is one of the most popular varieties of milk,” said Pingree, a longtime organic farmer. “I proudly cosponsored and helped pass the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act because it will not only help Maine students thrive at school, but it will also support local dairy farmers and local economies.”

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Pingree is working to support Maine dairy farmers in the upcoming Farm Bill. She recently called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support organic dairy farmers in Maine and across the country as they continue to face environmental and economic challenges.

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