Heinrich Legislation to Ensure New Mexico Schools Offer More Dairy & Non-Dairy Options Heads to White House

Dec 16, 2025

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration, welcomed the House passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, legislation he cosponsored that will allow schools to provide more dairy options and non-dairy alternatives for school lunches.

Currently, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which means that schools can only provide fat-free or low-fat milk. Heinrich’s Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will alter that restriction and allow schools to offer whole milk, reduced-fat milk, and non-dairy beverages, in addition to fat-free and low-fat milk.

Earlier this month, Heinrich secured Senate passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The legislation now heads to the White House.

“Every student in New Mexico and across the country deserves access to school meals that work for their needs. I’m proud that legislation I cosponsored to ensure schools can offer a wider range of dairy options, including non-dairy alternatives, has passed both chambers of Congress and is now headed to the White House,” said Heinrich.

Source : senate.gov

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