Holy Cow - Proposed Chocolate Milk Ban In NYC Schools

Holy cow! The New York City Education Department wants to ban chocolate milk in schools. But elected officials are standing with dairy farmers, opposing the idea.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi stood up with several local elected officials and dairy farmers at the DiNitto Farm in Marcy Monday to voice opposition to the proposed ban, a move that would hurt upstate dairy farmers.

photo courtesy of Congressman Brindisi's Office

More than two-thirds of milk served in school is flavored and is essential to kids getting the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. "Banning flavored milk hurts our kids and our hardworking farmers," Brindisi said. "The data shows banning flavored milk results in less nutrients for kids, more waste in our lunchrooms, and fewer jobs for our dairy workers. I am calling on the Mayor and New York City to reject a ban of flavored milk in schools so that our kids can continue to get the nutrients they need from milk-in whatever flavor they like."

Brindisi has sent a bipartisan letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio highlighting the importance of flavored milk in schools.

Farm Bureau President, David Fisher sent a letter of his own to Chancellor, Richard Carranza with NYC Schools and city leaders, asking them to drop the proposed ban on chocolate milk. "Studies have shown flavored milk consumption is not connected with weight gain or even high total daily sugar intake in children."

Read Fisher's letter in its entirety.

Farming is hard and farmers are finding it difficult to stay in business. A number of farms we have visited during 'Farm Hands' are no more, including several that have been in the family for decades. Banning chocolate milk in schools would only hurt the farming industry, especially in upstate New York. An industry struggling to survive already.

photo courtesy of Congressman Brindisi's Office

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