Fresh Bites Spring Edition 2022

COMMITTEES Industry

Industry Feature

Chocolate Milk Scores High Marks with Students, Nutrition Standards LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE MILK INCLUDED IN USDA’S UPDATED SCHOOL NUTRITION STANDARDS

Dairy – Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for School Meals

BY GREG SZKLANY AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST

for Americans. Even the American Heart Association recognizes the value of flavored milk stating, “When sugars are added to otherwise nutrient-rich foods, such as sugar sweetened dairy products like flavored milk, the quality of children’s and adolescent’s diets improves.” Just recently, students at an elementary school in California let their voices be heard, requesting the return of chocolate milk after it was banned. Do your students a favor and give them what they want! Offer a variety of nutritious cold milk, including flavored milk, daily in your schools. Because the best milk for students is the one they will drink. So, give them a choice. To find out more information about flavored milk in schools, please contact us at schools@milk4u.org or visit AmericanDairy.com .

Students prefer flavored milk! Low-fat chocolate milk will remain on school menus. The latest school nutrition standards, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture , allow schools to continue offering flavored low-fat (1%) milk – not just non-fat – alongside low-fat and non-fat white milk. The extension of federal rules will continue through the 2023-2024 school year. Giving students what they want is the best reason for schools to continue offering flavored milk. But keeping flavoredmilk on the menu can also boost meal participation. Among 300 schools in a study , 58 percent saw an increase in milk selection - and nearly 33 percent increased average daily meal participation. The study clearly illustrates that flavored milk can be powerful enough to attract more students into the cafeteria. Removing flavored milk from school meal offerings was also shown to have the unintended consequence of decreased overall milk selection and consumption and a negative impact on meal participation. By limiting flavored milk options, students are opting to not consume any milk and are missing key nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and protein - nutrients of concern that many kids are missing according to the Dietary Guidelines

This year, Gen Z – which is defined as tweens, teens and young adults ages 9-24 – will make up slightly more than 20 percent of the U.S. population, and as the most ethnically diverse generation, they are rapidly becoming the most influential. Their influence is already taking shape in schools where Gen Z is by far the majority, primarily representing current fourth grade through 12th grade students. With a wealth of information at their fingertips 24/7, Gen Z is more focused on social issues than any other generation. “Sustainable” and “local” are buzzwords for this generation. One characteristic of Gen Z that is notable for school nutrition directors is their relationship with food. Gen Z wants to feel good about where their food comes from and how it is produced. You can feel confident that the dairy foods – milk, cheese, and yogurt - you serve with school meals meet the discretionary tastes of Gen Z. Dairy foods are Good for the Planet, Good for Students and Good for School Meals. Thanks to increasinglymodern and innovative dairy farming practices, the environmental impact of producing a gallon of

milk in 2017 requires 30 percent less water, 21 percent less land and a 19 percent smaller carbon footprint compared to 10 years earlier. Sustainable food choices also must be nutrient-rich. Dairy milk meets this requirement, containing 13 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, calcium and Vitamin D. Dairy foods have also been associated with promoting a sense of calm and increasing energy - which appeals to Gen Z. With more than 3,500 dairy farms in New York, the milk and many dairy foods served in schools are locally produced. In most cases, milk typically goes from farm to school with 48 hours. By increasing “local” offerings, school districts support local farmers and can benefit financially through the 30% Farm to School Initiative . American Dairy Association North East is committed to working with schools to find new and innovative ways to increase student access to nutritious school meals. For more information on our programs and resources, please contact us at schools@milk4u.org or visit AmericanDairy.com .

FreshBites

SPRING 2022

FreshBites

SPRING 2022