The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard's Dairyman.
Good nutrition is a cornerstone of kids’ health and development. Milk is the number one source of protein for kids 2-11, and it’s the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D for children ages 2-18. And it always provides 13 essential nutrients, regardless of whether it’s skim, low-fat or whole milk.
But most kids and adolescents don’t meet the daily dairy intake recommendations made in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. That’s a nutritional problem for our kids, because milk plays a critical role in providing the nutrients kids need to grow and thrive.
And it’s happening in part because they drink less milk – and throw more of it away – when they don’t have access to the types of milk they like to drink at home. Whole milk is the most popular variety in America, followed by 2% -- yet neither are allowed under federal school meal programs. And a growing body of scientific evidence shows that whole milk and reduced-fat milk have numerous health benefits that kids need.
That’s why Congress needs to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which expands the popular, healthy milk options schools can choose to serve to improve student nutrition. You can help support kids’ access to milk’s vital nutrients by urging your member of Congress to vote “Yes” on this important nutrition legislation when the House votes this month.
