New York Republicans want whole milk and 2% milk back in school lunches.
State Assembly and Senate Republican lawmakers this week called for the change as a way of aiding both kids and dairy producers in the state.
The change is meant to address an Obama administration-era move that led to low-fat milk options in schools.
State Sen. George Borrello, the top-ranking Republican on the chamber's Agriculture Committee, called the removal of whole milk and 2% fat milk a mistake.
“It is time to end this failed experiment by giving students the opportunity to choose the nutritious milk of their choice and offering our state’s dairy producers a market for all their quality milk varieties," Borrello said. "A public petition will show our fellow legislators that this is a change the public supports and wants to see happen. We are here, standing united in our conviction that it’s time to lift this senseless ban.”
Providing low-fat milk in schools was part of a broader effort to boost the nutrition of school meals in the country and reduce childhood obesity with federally subsidized lunches.
New York this month sought to expand free school lunch options in schools as part of the $229 billion state budget, addressing the end of free school meals for kids regardless of their income.
At the same time, lawmakers want to expand a funding stream to purchase food from local farms to be expanded.
“While we are so proud to be here with our dairy producers, we would also like to share this experience — and all this good nutrition — with schoolchildren across our state. That’s why we need to get whole dairy back in schools.”