Bill will support Vermont students and dairy farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) today celebrated the House’s passage of their bipartisan, bicameral Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, legislation to support America’s students and dairy farmers. The Senators’ bipartisan bill would allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer students whole milk, in addition to reduced-fat, low-fat, fat-free, lactose-free milk, and non-dairy alternatives. It now heads to the President’s desk.
“Dairy is at the heart of Vermont’s culture and local economy, which is why our bipartisan bill to expand access to whole milk and inclusive alternatives in our schools is a major win for Vermont’s students and farmers. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will help future generations grow stronger and let dairy farmers in Vermont, Kansas, and around the country do what they love—feed our communities,” said Senator Welch. “I’m thankful for the partnership of Senator Marshall and to my House colleagues for their support in getting this bipartisan bill to the President’s desk.”
“This is a win for kids, parents, and common sense. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act puts nutrition back in the lunchroom, gives families more choice, and ensures our children have access to the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy,” said Senator Marshall. “I’m proud to see this bipartisan bill head to the President’s desk.”
As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, Senator Welch has championed efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s dairy industry. Last week, Senator Welch joined students, educators, and farmers at St. Albans City Elementary School to celebrate the Senate’s unanimous passage the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This Congress, Senator Welch reintroduced the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act, legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers by extending emergency assistance to farmers facing losses due to factors like feed shortages and increased costs.
Senator Welch also recently introduced legislation to help more Americans access SNAP and improve child nutrition, including the Local School Foods Expansion Act, Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025, Student Loan Deduction Act of 2025, and the School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act. Last Congress, Senator Welch introduced several bills in the 118th Congress to support Vermont’s dairy, organic, and specialty crop farmers. These bills were included in Senate Democrats’ draft Farm Bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act.
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