State Rep. Perry A. Stambaugh | Pennsylvania 86th Legislative District
State Rep. Perry A. Stambaugh | Pennsylvania 86th Legislative District
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved legislation that could change the milk options available in schools. The bill, supported by Representative Perry Stambaugh, aims to allow school boards or administrators to purchase whole or 2% Pennsylvania milk for students.
House Bill 2397 seeks to bypass regulations from the Obama Administration that restricted school milk offerings to fat-free flavored milk, fat-free white milk, and 1% white milk. According to the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board, student consumption of milk decreased by 35% when flavored whole milk was removed from schools.
"Drinking whole milk is integral for childhood development, and children are routinely tossing the chalky skim milk they currently get in schools," Stambaugh stated. "Not only are there zero nutritional benefits from milk that goes into a trash can, but also Pennsylvania’s dairy producers feel the financial pinch. I’m hopeful this measure will provide a boost to our hard-working dairy producers and foster a new generation of healthy kids who drink milk."
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. It has received support from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
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