The FISCAL Act updates the National School Lunch Program requirements to mandate that schools offer both traditional fluid milk and plant-based milk options.
Troy Carter
Representative
LA-2
The FISCAL Act updates the National School Lunch Program requirements regarding milk offerings. This legislation mandates that schools must offer both traditional fluid milk and plant-based milk options to students. Furthermore, the bill establishes a framework for the Secretary to set nutritional standards for any qualifying plant-based milk offered under the program.
FISCAL Act Mandates Plant-Based Milk Options in School Lunches, Ending 'Fluid Milk' Rule
The FISCAL Act, officially the Freedom in School Cafeterias and Lunches Act, is making a significant change to what schools must offer students under the National School Lunch Program. Right now, the rules focus heavily on "fluid milk." This bill switches the requirement to simply "milk," and here’s the kicker: it explicitly includes plant-based options in that definition (SEC. 2).
The Milk Aisle Expands
For years, schools participating in the federal lunch program had to offer various types of fluid cow’s milk. The FISCAL Act modernizes this requirement, acknowledging that not all kids can, or want to, drink dairy. This means that students with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or specific dietary preferences—like veganism—will now have guaranteed access to non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, or oat milk as part of their federally subsidized meal. This is a huge win for inclusivity and choice in the cafeteria, especially for parents who struggle to find suitable options for their kids when they eat at school.
New Rules for New Milks
The shift isn't just about adding options; it's about making sure those options are actually nutritious. The bill notes that if a school offers a plant-based milk that doesn't already meet the existing nutritional guidelines set by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary must step in and establish new nutritional standards for that specific type of plant-based milk (SEC. 2). Think of it like this: the USDA has to make sure that the new oat milk on the menu provides comparable nutritional value to the dairy milk it's replacing, or at least meets a defined standard. This requirement is intended to prevent schools from offering options that are essentially sugar water with a little almond flavoring.
Who Feels the Change?
This legislation creates a new administrative task for the Secretary of Agriculture, who now has to develop and enforce these new nutritional standards for various plant-based options. That’s a heavy lift, and the vagueness around the timeline for setting these standards could mean schools might face a period of uncertainty during implementation. On the flip side, this change is a potential headwind for the dairy industry, which has historically relied on the school lunch program as a major market for fluid milk. Conversely, it’s a boost for producers and suppliers of plant-based milk alternatives, who gain access to a massive and stable federal market.
Ultimately, the FISCAL Act cuts through outdated regulations to give students more dietary choices in the cafeteria. It’s a straightforward update that reflects modern dietary realities, but the real-world impact hinges on whether the USDA can quickly and fairly establish solid nutritional rules for all the new options coming to the lunch line.