Dairy Alliance Expands School Nutrition Programs Across Southeast with $1.2 Million in Grants
The Dairy Alliance has awarded grants benefiting nearly 375,000 students across eight Southeastern states to enhance milk consumption through innovative school programs, addressing childhood nutrition and supporting local dairy farmers.
The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, has significantly expanded its youth wellness programs across the region, awarding grants that will benefit nearly 375,000 students. The organization's investment in dairy nutrition education comes at a critical time when schools are seeking innovative ways to improve student health outcomes while supporting local agricultural communities.
According to Laura Buxenbaum, VP Health and Wellness at The Dairy Alliance, "Dairy nutrition education in schools plays a vital role in shaping healthy habits early. These grants give schools the resources to serve milk in fresh and engaging ways, whether through smoothies, milk dispensers, or other fun programs, while providing students with the energy and nutrition they need to learn, grow, and excel." The initiative represents a collaborative effort combining the organization's expertise with the dedication of local dairy farmers and school commitments to student health.
The grant distribution included 124 Dairy Optimization grants awarded in spring 2025, funding programs such as Moo Brew, Smoothies, and Milk Dispensers to enhance the school milk experience for more than 80,000 students. Later in May and June, 191 Fuel Up and GENYOUth grants provided Smoothie Kits and Mobile Meal Kits to benefit over 128,000 students during the 2025–2026 school year. Additionally, 258 GENYOUth NFL Flag-In-School Football kits were distributed, engaging more than 166,000 students in physical activities alongside nutrition education.
The Dairy Alliance Youth Wellness team provides comprehensive training to school nutrition staff on using grant-funded equipment and implementing programs effectively. The educational component focuses on helping students understand milk's nutritional benefits, particularly its 13 essential nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, and protein that are crucial for building strong bones and bodies. Additional activities include student taste tests, recipe sharing, and providing dairy-specific resources for schools and families through their website at https://thedairyalliance.com.
This large-scale initiative demonstrates how targeted nutritional interventions can create lasting change that supports both children's health and agricultural communities across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The program's success could serve as a model for other regions seeking to improve school nutrition while supporting local farming industries.