Georgia Dairy Partnership Invests $200,000 in School Milk Dispensers to Boost Consumption and Reduce Waste

The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, has partnered with Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. to provide real dairy milk to students across Georgia through an innovative bulk dispenser program. The initiative, supported by a $200,000 commitment from Georgia Milk, will fund approximately 30 bulk milk dispensers in school cafeterias statewide, enhancing the milk experience while reducing waste from single-use cartons.

School feeding programs are critical to ensuring our children are building strong bones and healthy immune systems, according to Matt Johnson, President of Georgia Milk's Board of Directors and a dairy farmer from Climax, Georgia. Our dairy farmers are investing in these programs to cultivate healthier school environments and get students excited about drinking milk. The funding removes a major barrier for schools by covering the cost of bulk milk dispensers and the necessary equipment to maintain them.

The Dairy Alliance's Dairy Optimization grants encourage schools to explore new ways to deliver nutritious dairy products to students, said Will McWhirter, Youth Wellness Manager for Georgia. While traditional milk cartons have served students well for decades, bulk milk dispensers offer a better school meal experience – providing delicious milk in a cup, reducing packaging waste, and supporting sustainability goals.

This initiative addresses concerning nutritional trends, as roughly three-quarters of children aged two through eighteen do not consume the daily recommended amount of real dairy. Data collected from a milk dispenser pilot in Tennessee reported that the combined average milk consumption rose 29% and the combined waste declined 14 points when milk is served from dispensers. Schools receiving milk dispenser grants across the Southeast have consistently reported an average increase of at least 14% in the movement of milk.

The nutritional benefits of this program extend beyond increased consumption. Real dairy milk delivers 13 essential nutrients – including calcium, vitamin D, potassium plus high-quality protein. These nutrients fuel energy, support learning throughout the day and are critical for growth and development. When we put milk on every tray and the students drink it, we invest in the health and success of every child.

For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com. Additional information about Georgia Milk and the Georgia dairy industry is available at http://www.gamilk.org.