Question:
My sister's kids' school recently started serving milk in plastic containers and her kids love it! I'd like my son's school to do the same thing, hoping he'll drink milk with his lunch. Any suggestions how I can approach the school?
Answer:
More and more schools have started serving the "New Look of School Milk" - a new look with plastic bottles and flavor options that are getting students to drink more milk. Kids say the milk is colder, tastes better and the containers are easy to open.
- A good place to start is to learn more about the New Look of School Milk and all its benefits. Talk to the school nutrition director and find out if he or she is considering adopting it.
- Also, learn more about your School Wellness Policy. Many schools adopted the New Look as a healthy beverage option in conjunction with their School Wellness Policy. Call or write your school principal or nutrition director and ask for a copy.
- Print this sample letter (pdf) and send it to your school principal and/or nutrition director to share your opinion about the importance of offering healthier food and beverage choices, including cold, low-fat or fat-free white and flavored milk in kid-friendly, plastic bottles.
- Attend school board and PTA/PTO meetings to discuss the importance of offering healthier food and beverage options as part of your School Wellness Policy, and share this Dairy and Wellness handout (PDF) with other parents, too.
- Ask your school nutrition director about vending offerings. A number of schools today offer flavored milk and bottled water in vending machines as healthier options..
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