May 24 2010

West Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition Weighs in on School Milk!

West Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition Weighs in on School Milk!

The facts from the recent study:
* Elementary student milk consumption dropped an average of 35% when flavors were not offered.

* The number of milks used declined 23% and the amount of discarded milk (waste) rose when students were only offered white milk.

* The two factors together (milks used and increased waste) translated to an average 35% decline in actual consumption.

* On average, student’s actual consumption fell to less than 4 ounces per day (per milk drinker) when only white milk was offered.

* Usage & Consumption Measurement in a sample of 51 Elementary Schools from 7 districts, while the middle school samples were too small to report separately, the decline was comparable. Waste rose from 24.5% (flavors & white) to 36.1% (white only)
Milk Consumption did not recover over a year’s time.

* Drop in consumption equates to an alarming drop in essential nutrients that are difficult for schools to replace.

While a combination of foods can replace nutrients in flavored milk, those foods would add more calories and fat. AND cost an incremental $2,200 to $4,600 more annually per 100 students. For the money, milk is the most nutrient-rich offering on the tray.

“Should flavored milk have a lower sugar content?” Absolutely. Is flavored milk an important tool to encourage kids to get enough Calcium and Vitamin D? Yes.”

MilkPEP, Milk Processor Education Program, March 2010 Commitment of the Milk Industry: Reduce Sugar, Fat & Calories

* If a standard of 150 calories per 8 ounce serving is set for the flavored
milks offered with school meals, the milk industry is committed to meet this
standard.

* The milk industry is committed to promoting only fat free & low fat milks to
children & teens in schools.

* If added flexibility for reducing added sugars in flavored milks can be
achieved by adoption of the joint IDFA/NMPF petition to amend the standard
of identity for milks, the milk industry is committed to reduce the added
sugars in all flavored milks.

For more information on the study click here:
http://wvde.state.wv.us/nutrition/news.html?news_id=29