Because of advocates like you, we’re celebrating a meaningful win for animals, people, and our planet. Congress has finally passed a bill that allows schools to serve plant-based milks to students!
Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has required cow’s milk in cafeterias nationwide, leading to widespread waste and needless suffering. For decades, Big Dairy has dictated what’s served in cafeterias, but a new bipartisan bill puts choice where it belongs: with students and schools.
The Act allows schools that are participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer a wide variety of milks to students, including - for the first time ever - nondairy beverages. The good news doesn’t stop there! Schools are now required to present students a nondairy milk option if they have a note from a parent/guardian. This bipartisan bill signifies a HUGE win for our cow friends – and for the students, families, and schools who have advocated for milk alternatives in school cafeterias.
Farm Sanctuary has advocated to end the school milk mandate for years, and we couldn’t be more excited about this historic victory. Last year, as part of a coalition effort, we helped make plant-based meals more accessible for 30 million students by shifting US Department of Agriculture meal pattern guidelines. Now, the 4.7 billion lunches served annually can nourish students in ways that are compassionate, equitable, and sustainable.
