The Agriculture Department is seeking comments on a rule that would eliminate a requirement that schools participating in the school-lunch program serve lowfat, unflavored milk. A U.S.D.A. spokesman said the rules change would ease the administrative burdens of schools by eliminating the necessity of having several milk inventories.
Since 1979, rules governing the school-lunch program have required schools to serve lowfat, unflavored milk. Since March 23, however, they have also been required to serve whole milk. And schools wishing to serve chocolate milk have been forced to complete three separate milk inventories.
“It’s difficult as schools get smaller to offer these choices,’' said Gene Vincent, the U.S.D.A. spokesman.
The department is specifically seeking comments on whether the lowfat-milk requirement should be retained, and, if it is, whether flavored milk could be an acceptable substitute for unflavored milk.
Comments should be sent to Lou Pastura, Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.D.A., 3101 Park Center Dr., Alexandria, Va. 22302.
