|
This Tuesday, the US Senate Committee on Agriculture held a hearing to discuss the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and childhood nutrition programs more broadly. The hearing lasted for a little over two hours and included testimony from Dr. Eve Stoody of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Dr. Keith Ayoob of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Union City Schools’ (Spartansburg, PA) Food Service Director Krista Byler, Georgia Dept. of Education Deputy Superintendent of School Nutrition Linette Dodson, and Dan Gorman of Montague Area Public Schools in Michigan.
There was general support of the bill by members of both parties during the hearing, and the bill’s list of sponsors include four Democrats, one Independent, and eight republicans in addition to the author, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS). During the hearing several members of the committee shared their own opinions and insights into school meals from their home states and their support for letting students choose which variety of milk they prefer. Dr. Keith Ayoob stated in his testimony that the body of science on childhood nutrition is evolving and that the latest research points to an inverse correlation between children who consume full fat dairy products and childhood obesity.
The committee also heard testimony from local and state school nutrition professionals on the need for strong and dynamic school meal programs. Dr. Linette Dodson of the Georgia Department of Education spoke on several programs in Georgia that have elevated the quality of school meals while engaging students in learning more about agriculture and where their food comes from.
In the House of Representatives, the House Education and Workforce Committee passed its version of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in February by a vote of 24-10. That version has 112 co-sponsors and is currently waiting on a vote of the full House.
Further Reading:
Tell Your Congressman to Support Whole Milk for Healthy Kids HERE!
| 
