USDA restores whole, 2% milk options in school meals

School cafeterias will again be able to serve whole and 2% milk after the U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized a rule on May 8, implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, expanding dairy options in school nutrition programs for the first time in more than a decade.

The rule formally restores higher-fat milk choices in federal Child Nutrition Programs, allowing schools to offer whole milk, reduced-fat (2%), low-fat and fat-free varieties to children and adults ages 2 and older.

The change marks a reversal of restrictions that had limited school milk offerings to lower-fat options under long-standing federal nutrition standards aimed at reducing childhood obesity. Agriculture officials said the updated policy reflects newer nutrition research and increased demand for broader dairy choices in schools.

Some health experts, however, continue to caution that diets high in saturated fat should still be consumed in moderation.

USDA officials also said the rule is intended to better align school meal standards with current Dietary Guidelines for Americans while giving local school districts more flexibility in menu planning and procurement.

Here's what else to know about the rule impacting schools:

USDA cites nutrition and flexibility

The agency said dairy remains a key source of essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, D and B12. Officials added that whole milk in particular plays a role in supporting energy needs and development in young children.

“USDA is proud to implement the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and give schools the flexibility to serve real, wholesome milk options,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, noting the administration’s focus on expanding access to nutrient-dense foods in school meals.

The USDA said it is also continuing a broader review of school nutrition standards as it may further update meal requirements based on evolving federal dietary guidance.

Policy reversal builds on 2026 law

The final rule implements the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed into law on Jan. 14 by President Donald Trump after bipartisan passage in Congress.

The law reverses provisions tied to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed by former President Barack Obama, which required schools to serve only low-fat or fat-free milk to address childhood obesity concerns.

Under the new framework, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 30 million students, can offer whole, 2%, and flavored or unflavored milk, along with nondairy beverages that meet nutritional equivalency standards.

Nutrition debate continues

The policy shift follows updated federal dietary guidance issued earlier this year under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which placed greater emphasis on full-fat dairy and dietary fats.

Those changes have drawn support from dairy industry advocates and some lawmakers who argue that full-fat dairy provides important nutrients.

Other health experts continue to caution that saturated fat intake should remain limited as part of overall dietary balance. Whole milk contains more saturated fat and calories than low-fat or skim milk, and excess saturated fat intake has long been associated with higher levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease, though some newer studies have questioned how strongly this is linked to certain foods, including dairy products.

Federal officials say the updated standards are designed to expand choice in school meals while still allowing schools flexibility to meet broader nutrition goals.

The USDA said schools will be able to incorporate the expanded milk options as procurement contracts and menus are updated in the coming months.

The agency said the rule is part of a wider effort to modernize child nutrition programs and increase access to minimally processed, nutrient-rich foods across school meal settings.

Joey Garrison and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this report.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT