Trump Signs Bill to Reintroduce Whole Milk in Schools

President Trump signed a new law on Wednesday that paves the way for whole milk and 2% milk to return to American schools. The signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office, with key figures like Cabinet members, lawmakers, and dairy farmers present.

“Today, I’m pleased to sign the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” President Trump stated before the law takes effect. “This is very important to our farmers, but perhaps even more crucial for the people of our country who drink milk.”

He noted that this was the first bill signing of the new year, aimed at ensuring that millions of school-aged children can access high-quality milk. He also expressed gratitude to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Congress members for their support.

The legislation aims to reverse the School Milk Protocol, which was established under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This previous law prohibited whole milk and 2% milk options in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

“Currently, schools in the program can only offer low-fat or non-fat milk,” the President explained. “That changed with the Obama administration, and many were not happy about it back then.”

Rollins mentioned that it would be several weeks before whole milk and 2% milk are available again in schools, highlighting the process to undo previous policies.

“Today, the Department of Agriculture is releasing guidelines. We’ve signed the bill, and the Department is aligning its new rules with President Trump’s timing,” she said. “Schools should expect to see these milk options in a few weeks.”

President Kennedy pointed out that this legislation is a significant amendment to school nutrition policy that prioritizes children’s health. He emphasized the critical nutrients found in whole milk, saying they are essential for both brain and physical development.

He continued, “Whole milk and 2% milk offer 13 vital components—such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, and healthy fats—that are important for growth, development, immune function, and overall health.”

The bill was introduced by Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Kim Schrier (D-WA), along with Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT), and it gained bipartisan support, passing in January 2025.