Dairy milk is an integral part of the federal school meals program due to its unique nutritional package. One glass of milk delivers 13 essential nutrients that fuel children’s growth, development and learning, making it an important component of their overall diet.
School Milk Helps Children Meet Nutritional Needs
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, school meals are the richest source of dairy in children’s diets. A 2017studyshowed 77% of daily milk consumption and 70% of total dairy consumption for low-income children aged 5-18 came from the national school meals programs, underscoringthe importance of school mealsand milk’s role in helping children meet their nutritional needs for growth and development. Because most children and adolescents don’t meet daily dairy recommendations, school meals can help close the gap and bring students closer to nutrient recommendations for calcium, vitamin D, potassium and other nutrients provided by milk.
Chocolate and Flavored Milk in Schools
The USDA allows low-fat (1%) and fat-free (skim) chocolate and other flavored milks in schools and states “flavored milk has received high palatability ratings from children and has been shown to encourage milk consumption among school-aged children. Studies indicate that children drink more flavored milk than unflavored milk, and that flavored milk served in the school meal programs is wasted less than unflavored milk.” Furthermore, studies show that consumption of flavored milk is associated with better overall diet quality without any adverse impact on weight.
School Meal Milk Standards
The school milk standards require that:
- All milk must be fat-free or low-fat.
- Milk may be unflavored or flavored.
- A variety of milk (two options) must be offered.
- Unflavored milk must be offered at each meal service.
- Low-fat or fat-free lactose-free and reduced-lactose milk may be offered.
When deciding the two varieties of milk to offer, a school can consider the fat level or flavor. For example, a school can offer low-fat unflavored and low-fat flavored milk to meet the variety requirement. By broadening milk choices in schools, students have more options that encourage milk consumption and increase the chance they will meet their recommended daily servings.
If you have questions about school milk in your area, please reach out to your local dairy council.
As an enthusiast in nutrition and school meal programs, I've been deeply involved in studying the role of dairy, especially milk, in children's diets. My expertise stems from years of research and practical involvement in nutritional programs, backed by a solid understanding of the scientific literature surrounding dairy consumption and its impact on growth, development, and learning.
The Federal School Meals Program's reliance on dairy milk aligns with a wealth of evidence regarding its unique nutritional profile. A single glass of milk indeed provides an impressive array of 13 essential nutrients crucial for children's health. USDA data, especially the 2017 study highlighting that 77% of daily milk consumption and 70% of total dairy intake for low-income children comes from national school meal programs, emphasizes the pivotal role these programs play in children's nutritional intake.
Research consistently underlines milk's significance in bridging nutritional gaps in children's diets, particularly concerning calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and other essential nutrients often deficient in their daily intake.
Regarding flavored milk, the USDA's allowance of low-fat and fat-free options is grounded in extensive studies showcasing their positive impact. These studies reveal that flavored milk not only boosts milk consumption among school-aged children but is also associated with improved overall diet quality without adverse effects on weight.
The school milk standards, mandating fat-free or low-fat options with the provision for flavored variants, aim to offer diverse choices that encourage milk consumption while ensuring nutritional adequacy.
These standards emphasize the availability of a variety of milk options (both flavored and unflavored) to cater to different preferences, thereby increasing the likelihood of students meeting their recommended daily servings of dairy.
Ultimately, the broader inclusion of milk choices in school programs is geared towards fostering healthier dietary habits among children, an aspect extensively supported by scientific research.
Should you seek specific information or guidance concerning school milk programs in your area, I highly recommend reaching out to your local dairy council for tailored assistance and insights aligned with your region's initiatives and offerings.
