This is positive news for school kids and dairy producers alike. Reuters recently published an article about the praise International Dairy Foods Association has been giving President Obama and USDA Secretary Vilsack for their push for more dairy products in school lunch and breakfast programs. Kudos to these government officials for understanding the importance of dairy in growing children! Here is an excerpt from that article…

“Kids are eating far too few low fat dairy products,” said Vilsack. This is particularly important because the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school meal programs are often the only source of dairy products in many children’s
diet.”

USDA data shows that per capita milk consumption has been falling for decades, and that this decline corresponds to the dramatic increase in per capita consumption of competing beverages among school children. The USDA also reports that the vast majority of children do not get the recommended amount of calcium. Only 5 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys aged 9 to 13 get the calcium they need.