Fueling Academic Success:
The Power of Dairy Nutrition in Schools

Unlock academic success with the power of proper nutrition and physical activity! Dairy foods are packed with essential nutrients that fuel students’ learning and growth. Discover why milk should be a staple in every school meal and how it can make a difference in your students’ lives.

We’re here to support you with evidence-based research, innovative programs, and valuable resources tailored for your cafeteria and school. Let’s work together to nourish young minds and bodies, ensuring every student has the tools they need to thrive!

Dairy’s Impact on School Meals

Milk plays a vital role in the school meal pattern, providing students with thirteen essential nutrients that fuel both body and brain. It’s also an excellent source of high-quality protein, keeping students satisfied and focused throughout the day.

But here’s the challenge: many students aren’t getting enough milk—falling short by more than a cup each day. This means they’re missing out on crucial calcium and vitamin D, key nutrients for building strong bones.

Let’s change that! Ensure every student enjoys a positive dairy experience by serving milk cold and refreshing, right down to the last person in line. Together, we can help close the gap and keep our students thriving.

Breakfast on Their Schedule

Providing students with breakfast at school is essential not only for their health but also for their academic success. When students can enjoy breakfast in the classroom, grab a meal from a convenient kiosk or cart, or take it on the go, it helps eliminate the time crunch and ensures more students can access a nutritious start to their day.

Alternative breakfast solutions, such as Breakfast in the Classroom or Grab ‘n’ Go Breakfast, make it easier for students to get the nutrition they need, setting them up for a more successful and productive day.

Smart Swaps

Fuel Your Menus

Your go-to resource for school nutrition, sample menus, easy recipes, and educational training materials. Get inspired, get organized, and confidently serve healthy, delicious, and compliant meals to your students.

Best Served Cold

Did you know that temperature plays a big role in milk’s taste and freshness? Milk is at its best when it’s kept “ice cold,” between 35°F and 40°F—just above freezing. Not only does it taste better, but it also lasts longer. In fact, for every five-degree increase above 40°F, milk’s shelf life is cut in half. To keep your milk at its freshest, aim for a cool 35°F. The colder the milk, the longer it stays delicious and ready to enjoy!

Build Excitement for School Meals

Our school meal marketing kits are packed with resources for you to successfully promote school meals and new programs, such as lattes, breakfast, smoothies, and more!

These kits include expert tips and creative resources to help you engage students with delicious, nutritious meals they’ll love. From implementation guides and stand-out visuals to fun promotional ideas, we’ve got you covered. Our kits also help build trust with families and administrators by highlighting the balanced, wholesome options available to students, ensuring they feel confident in the meals being served.

Let’s work together to make school meals the go-to choice for fueling young minds and bodies!

Image of a young kid eating a school lunch in a cafeteria.

Student Engagement

We’re encouraging kids to take ownership of their own health and nutrition so they can live better lives in and out of the classroom. Check out our student-centered resources today.

School Recipes

From entrees to drinks and desserts, there are so many delicious ways to use nutritious dairy foods. Come browse this online cookbook of chef-tested recipes, and get inspired for your next meal plan.

Moolah for Schools

We’re proud to support Michigan schools by providing the equipment and resources needed to enhance school food services and boost dairy consumption. Our goal is to create innovative opportunities that elevate the quality of school meals, ensuring students receive the best possible nutrition every day. Let’s work together to enrich your school’s dining experience and maximize the benefits for your students!

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