Whole milk for school lunch ONLY (NOT child care)!

On January 14, 2026, the president signed the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids" act. This bill allows SCHOOL LUNCH programs the flexibility to serve whole and 2% milk again. Unfortunately, the bill ONLY applies to SCHOOL LUNCH.

All other nutrition programs, including day care homes, day care centers, and at-risk afterschool programs (ARAS) participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must continue to follow the milk guidelines that went into effect in October 2017.

For the Food Program (CACFP):

• Whole milk is required for 1-year-olds.
• Kids ages 2 and older must be served 1% (also called low-fat) or 0% (also called skim, nonfat, or fat-free) milk. 
• Creditable non-dairy (plant-based) milk that is nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk can be served with a written request (Visit the Public Forms section for a Parent Non-Dairy Milk Form)
• 2% milk is ONLY allowed for ONE month, from 24 months of age until 25 months, to transition from whole milk to 1% or 0% milk. 

If you wish to advocate for policy changes for the CACFP (to allow whole and/or 2% milk in day care), we encourage you to contact your elected federal representatives. Contact your senator(s) and/or representatives here.