New School Lunch Bill Mandates Flavored and Unflavored Milk Options, Starting Immediately

The "Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2025" changes up what kind of milk your kids will see in the school lunch line. Instead of just getting one choice, schools now have to offer both flavored and unflavored milk. Plus, they can choose to offer lactose-free milk, which is a good move for kids with dietary needs.

What's on the Menu Now?

This bill is all about making sure kids have options. Section 2 lays it out: schools participating in the national school lunch program must provide both flavored (like chocolate or strawberry) and unflavored milk. No more being stuck with just one type. And, if schools want, they can also put lactose-free milk on the menu. This means kids who can't handle regular milk still get a chance to grab a carton at lunch. For example, a student who loves chocolate milk can now get it at school, while another student with lactose intolerance might have a lactose-free option available.

Real-World Rollout

So, how might this play out? Imagine a school cafeteria where, before, only plain milk was offered. Some kids just skipped the milk altogether. Now, with flavored options on deck, more students might actually take a carton, potentially drinking more milk overall. Or think about a student who always had to bring a special milk alternative from home - now the school could provide what they need. This could also mean a change for school budgets as they figure out how to stock these different types of milk.

Potential Hurdles

While choice is usually a good thing, it's worth noting that schools will need to balance offering variety with keeping things healthy. It's easy to see how some schools might pick the cheapest flavored milk options, which may not always be the most nutritious. It's also going to be interesting to see how dairy suppliers play into this, as they may push for certain types of flavored milk to be featured.