On Feb. 4, USDA extended the emergency flexibility put in place by the Trump administration that allowed chocolate 1% milk to be served in schools, in addition to nonfat milk and plain 1%.

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., said he was initially concerned about what the Biden administration would do with the standards, but he is pleased with last week’s outcome.

“We’ve seen increased consumption of milk ever since this was initiated to allow 1% low-fat milk in schools,” Thompson said, adding he wants the rule to become permanent.

The Feb. 4 action extended the standards for the next two school years, citing pandemic challenges for cafeterias.

Thompson said the rule helps children nutritionally, and it benefits dairy farmers because the action doesn’t disrupt what’s been in place since the Trump administration.

“In 2010, when Democrats were in the majority and they demonized whole milk and took it out of our schools, our dairy farms were significantly hurt economically,” Thompson said. “We lost almost an entire generation of milk drinkers, and I think some of them have come back with the 1% in schools.”

Dairy groups also praised the Biden administration’s decision.

“Ensuring kids have access to the nutrients they need to grow and thrive is a top priority for dairy,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. “One percent flavored milk is not only fully consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is also a nutrient-dense, low-fat healthy option kids will choose to drink.”

G.N. Hursh, president of 97 Milk, said allowing 1% flavored milk in schools is “a step in the right direction.”

But the rule isn’t permanent, and consumer education is needed to build support for the return of whole milk to schools, he said.

Thompson pledged to continue working on his signature whole milk bill, which has bipartisan support from more than 80 co-sponsors.

Thompson said the biggest challenge has been getting the bill scheduled for consideration in the House Education and Labor Committee, which has jurisdiction over school nutrition.

Some of the committee’s Democratic staff were involved in removing whole milk from schools when the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was passed in 2010, Thompson said.

In an attempt to reduce childhood obesity, that law said the milk served in the federal School Lunch Program must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans — effectively giving whole milk the boot.

Thompson said the move was based on bad science and today the benefits of whole milk are clear.

“We know whole milk is a powerhouse beverage that more kids would drink in school. But it’s been challenging to get my act scheduled for consideration in the Education and Labor Committee,” Thompson said.

“I am really pleased with the USDA and Secretary (Tom) Vilsack reissuing the regulation for 1% flavored milk in school, but I’m not going to be totally satisfied until we get the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids passed.”