Dairy Groups Tout Nutrition as Schools Reopen

As roughly 50 million children return to public schools nationwide in the coming days, a group of farmer and nutrition advocates encourages parents and policymakers to remember dairy.  Dairy advocates say when it comes to the health of students, milk and dairy product options need to be more accessible during the school year.  

The group released a fact sheet pointing out that milk is the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and vitamin D in kids ages 2-18.  Unfortunately, according to the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services children over four and adolescents aren’t getting enough dairy to meet the recommendations in the federal Dietary Guidelines, missing out on several nutrients they need to grow.

Michael Dykes of the International Dairy Foods Association said, “School meals are an important opportunity for children to get the nutrients they need.  Now is when we need to work together to encourage nutritious milk consumption every day.”

Click Here to check out that Fact Sheet.

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