Schoharie County supervisors have signed onto the statewide effort to bring whole milk back to schools.
Assemblyman Chris Tague has been championing the cause; just a few weeks ago he brought together legislators and industry reps at a rally at Ridgedale Farms in Canajoharie and Sharon Springs to draw attention to his bill, A.9990.
A.9990 would return whole- and two-percent milk to schools.
Both were removed about 10 years ago because of concerns over fat, but with research, the science has changed.
Pennsylvania has already moved to allow both whole- and two-percent milk back in schools.
“Resolved, that the County of Schoharie, New York, applauds and supports local dairy farmers in their efforts to lift the federal prohibition on whole milk…and [recognizes] the importance of whole milk, and nutritional benefits provided in whole milk and call for it to be put back in our schools,” supervisors’ resolution reads in part.
Several towns have also passed similar resolutions.
Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer asked what schools can actually do with the resolution; Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry said it’s part of the state and federal effort.
“The idea is to support it,” she said.
Ms. Terry also said that even now, parents can request whole milk with a doctor’s note.