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More school milk choices could help improve student nutrition

A health and wellness expert says the return of 2 percent and whole milk in schools this fall could help support student growth and development. 

Hanna Kelley with the American Dairy Association Indiana says having additional options helps build healthy eating habits.

“Just having the flexibility is one of the most important pieces of this change,” she says. “They’re just getting a little extra fat and nutritional value from that whole milk variety.”

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed into law earlier this year, allows schools to offer whole and 2 percent milk alongside traditional skim and low-fat options for the first time since 2012.

She tells Brownfield dairy continues to play an important role in a well-balanced diet. 

“Dairy provides calcium and vitamin D,” she says. “They’re able to get a great source of protein. There’s healthy fats in dairy foods that help with brain development. We want to build brains, bones, and bodies and including dairy is the perfect way to do that.”

Kelley says offering locally-sourced dairy foods in schools helps connect students with the products produced by Indiana farmers.

AUDIO: Hanna Kelley, American Dairy Association Indiana