Albany, NY – NYS Assembly Agriculture Chair Donna Lupardo and committee members sent a letter calling on NY’s federal representatives to authorize 2% milk and whole milk in schools through the Federal Farm Bill. The letter follows a similar effort made earlier this month by Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The letter, sent to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and to the 26 members of New York’s Congressional Delegation, urges that milk purchasing choice be restored to NY schools. The measure would be restored in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) through the upcoming 2023 Federal Farm Bill. The goal is to reverse a 2010 decision that removed these options from the NSLP under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “I am pleased to report that members of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, hailing from different parts of the state, are united in their advocacy for NY’s students and dairy farmers. We are committed to the health and vitality of students and farmers alike, and are strongly urging our colleagues in Washington to return this milk purchasing option to schools in the 2023 Federal Farm Bill.”

Assemblyman Christopher Tague, Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, said, “Reintroducing whole and 2% milk to public schools in New York holds multifaceted significance, extending its impact beyond the classroom to local dairy farmers. By incorporating these milk varieties back into school menus, a direct and positive effect is felt by dairy farmers who form an integral part of the state's agricultural community and economy. Supporting local dairy farmers not only sustains rural economies but also fosters a sense of community and agricultural heritage. The reintroduction of whole and 2% milk not only benefits students' health but also cultivates a symbiotic relationship between educational institutions and the agricultural sector, fostering a stronger, more resilient New York.”

The letter can be found at https://nyassembly.gov/comm/?id=2&sec=story&story=107175