The Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, legislation that seeks to increase access to both whole milk and non-dairy beverages in the National School Lunch Program. While the bill includes provisions for whole and low-fat milk, it also creates a significant opportunity for expanding plant-based milk options, such as almond, soy, and oat milk, in public schools across the country.
“Offering non-dairy milk options is not just smart policy, but it’s a matter of public health”
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, expressed her support for the bill during the committee markup, highlighting the importance of providing a variety of beverage options to meet the diverse needs of students. “We are working together on a bill that will help ensure that our children, regardless of dietary needs, have access to nutritious beverages,” Klobuchar stated.
Increased access to non-dairy milks
Though the inclusion of dairy milk options has raised concerns from those advocating for plant-based alternatives, the bill’s provision for expanding access to non-dairy beverages has been praised by many. For students who cannot consume dairy due to health reasons or personal beliefs, the increased availability of plant-based options addresses a growing demand for cruelty-free and allergen-free choices.
Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, underscored the bill’s importance for children who are unable to safely consume dairy. “Millions of children cannot safely consume dairy, and this bipartisan measure ensures they are no longer marginalized at the lunch table. Offering non-dairy milk options is not just smart policy, but it’s a matter of public health, compassion, and common sense,” Pacelle said to vegconomist.
Long-awaited victory
The push for more non-dairy milk in schools has been years in the making, with various groups advocating for policies that reflect the dietary preferences of a growing number of families choosing plant-based options. Dotsie Bausch, founder of Switch4Good and a prominent advocate for plant-based nutrition, described the bill’s movement through the Senate as a long-awaited victory.
She told vegconomist, “This moment has been years in the making, and I couldn’t be more fired up! The momentum we are building with the FISCAL Act is a massive impending victory for our kids and their collective health, and it creates a more humane system for the cows trapped in this nightmarish system.
“This isn’t just a forthcoming policy win; it’s a powerful shift toward inclusivity, sustainability, and compassionate choices for the next generation.”
Despite concerns about the continued promotion of dairy milk, the expansion of plant-based options through this bill is seen as a step forward in creating a more inclusive and health-conscious school nutrition system. With the bill now moving to the House of Representatives, advocates remain focused on ensuring that the needs of all students are met.
