The Chef Ann Foundation has announced that it has awarded 29 grants to 15 K–12 school districts across the U.S. as part of its Bulk Milk program’s second consecutive year. The grantees will receive the necessary equipment, materials, and training resources to implement a bulk milk serving system.
The Bulk Milk grants have been awarded to the following districts: Petersburg School District, AK; Willows Unified School District, CA; Ocean View School District, CA; San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, CA; Shady Creek Outdoor School, CA; Santa Clara Unified School District, CA; Weld County School District, CO; Colorado Charter School Institute, CO; Cannon Falls Independent School District, MN; Minneapolis Public School District, MN; Explore Academy Charter School, NM; Ithaca School District, NY; Groton Central School District, NY; Franklin Special School District, TN; Suffolk Public School District, VA.
According to USDA guidelines for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, schools are required to offer milk with every lunch or breakfast they serve. However, because most schools serve milk in single-use cartons or plastic bottles, milk has become one of the most significant sources of food and packaging waste at schools nationwide.
With a bulk dispenser, students can pour themselves the exact amount of milk they want, which helps to reduce a major source of waste. An estimated 45 million gallons of liquid milk are discarded annually in schools, representing wasted resources. By using a bulk milk dispenser, schools can potentially save approximately 30 pounds of carbon dioxide per student, which is equivalent to taking 145,000 gas-powered cars off the road.
Early adopters of bulk milk dispensers have seen impressive results in reducing packaging waste, too. “We had more than 360,000 fewer cartons go into the landfill last year,” said Beth Brewster, Supervisor of Food Services at Caroline County School in Maryland. “There has been less [liquid milk] waste as well since the students only take the amount they want and actually drink it, ” she added.
The advantages of purchasing milk in bulk extend beyond waste reduction. Bulk milk is also more cost-effective for schools in the long run compared to individual cartons or bottles. It leads to savings on packaging and disposal costs. With these savings, schools can consider investing in higher-quality milk, such as organic milk.
“We want schools to see bulk milk as an opportunity, not just a waste reduction measure,” said Laura Smith, Executive Director of Programs at the Chef Ann Foundation. “It’s a chance to serve fresher, more sustainable milk while saving money. That’s a win-win-win for students, schools, and the planet.”
