Federal agriculture officials have released new guidelines that will allow schools nationwide to serve whole milk and 2% milk options in breakfast programs and other federally-funded meal services, according to the National Milk Producers Federation.
The USDA’s new “Interim Final Rule” titled “Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs” adds these higher-fat milk varieties to school breakfast, Special Milk and Child and Adult Care Food programs.
This regulatory change puts into action the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which became law in January after being signed by the president.
During the rule-making process, the National Milk Producers Federation had asked federal officials to ensure that schools could offer whole and 2% milk during breakfast service in addition to lunch programs. The new regulation addresses this concern and provides students with consistent milk choices throughout all school meals.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in delivering whole and 2% milk back into schools,” stated NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud. “Offering whole and 2% milk in schools helps students meet recommended daily values for many essential nutrients. It’s logistically challenging for schools to offer this milk for lunches but not for other meals, which weakens the benefits that whole and 2% milk provide. Today’s rule provides much needed clarification so that schools can offer the same milk options during breakfast and lunch.”
The new legislation allows educational institutions to provide whole milk and 2% milk varieties alongside the existing 1%, fat-free, and flavored milk choices that have been available in government-funded programs. These fuller-fat options had been prohibited since federal regulations eliminated them in 2012.
“When the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed, NMPF pledged our fullest support to federal officials and school districts across the nation to help implement this important legislation,” Doud added. “We appreciate USDA’s swift, comprehensive efforts on implementation to ensure that schools have the information they need to make purchasing decisions and whole and reduced fat milk offerings return to school menus.”
The new federal rule becomes effective in one month and is currently accepting public feedback that will help shape the final version of the regulation.
