The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 made changes to the milk requirement for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) starting the 2005-06 school year. Currently, reimbursable school lunches must offer fluid milk with fat contents consistent with the prior year student preferences. A type of milk could only be dropped as a student choice if less than one percent of the milk consumed the previous school year was that type [i.e. whole milk (not less than 3.25 % fat), reduced-fat milk (2% fat), or low-fat milk (1% or less fat), etc.]
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005, the regulations state: “Under all menu planning approaches for students, schools must offer students fluid milk in a variety of fat contents. Schools may offer flavored or unflavored milk and lactose-free fluid milk.” The requirement that schools offer students a variety of fluid milk consistent with the prior year’s preferences HAS BEEN REMOVED.
This provision only applies to the National School Lunch Program, After School Snack Program and Seamless Summer Program. The School Breakfast Program and Special Milk already have the flexibility to offer any type(s) of milk.
Please contact the school's area specialist, if there are any questions.