How New York’s Dairy Industry Gives Back to Local Schools
Every time a student grabs a carton of milk at lunch, they’re experiencing the impact of New York dairy in schools. Behind that moment is a statewide network of local dairy farmers, cooperatives, and organizations working together to make sure kids have access to fresh, nutritious foods and meaningful learning opportunities. It’s a community partnership that starts on the farm and reaches all the way into the classroom.
Strengthening School Meals With Local Dairy
Milk in school meals has always played a central role in child nutrition, and New York dairy farmers take that responsibility seriously. Through partners like the American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), schools across the state gain access to USDA-compliant options such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. These foods deliver 13 essential nutrients and help students stay energized throughout the day.
ADANE’s school nutrition efforts focus on supporting the whole child. Their youth programs team works directly with districts, helping schools increase access to balanced meals, offer breakfast innovations like Breakfast After the Bell, and build menus that pair dairy with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This collaboration ensures students receive the nutrition they need, while also reinforcing a dependable market for local dairy farmers in New York.
Bringing Farm to School Milk Into More Districts
Farm to school milk is another way New York ties local agriculture to student well-being. Schools are purchasing more ingredients directly from New York farms, strengthening regional food systems and giving students a fresh, local product they can trust.
Through the state’s Farm-to-School Program, districts receive financial, technical, and promotional support to source locally. And for schools that meet the NYS 30% Initiative — purchasing at least 30% of their lunch ingredients from New York producers — the state increases reimbursement, helping more districts serve New York-grown foods.
The result is a win-win: farmers gain new markets and visibility within their communities, and students enjoy meals made with local, nutritious ingredients. Today, more than 40% of districts across the state participate in farm-to-school efforts, and that number continues to grow.
Fueling Student Success With Fuel Up to Play 60
Wellness goes beyond what’s on the lunch tray. That’s why New York dairy farmers also help bring Fuel Up to Play 60 into classrooms. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a national initiative created by America’s dairy farmers to promote good nutrition, daily physical activity, and student leadership.
Fuel Up to Play 60 gives students the resources to make healthy choices and advocate for change in their own schools. The program teaches kids how dairy nutrition supports strong bodies and sharp minds, and encourages them to engage in at least 60 minutes of activity each day. Many New York schools use Fuel Up grants to improve wellness spaces, boost school meal participation, or launch student-led projects that build a stronger culture around health.
For local dairy farmers, the program is a way to empower the next generation and connect students directly to the foods and families who help fuel them.
Learning Beyond the Lunchroom
Students learn best when they can see where their food comes from. ADANE makes that connection possible through a suite of classroom and community resources from educator lesson plans to hands-on activities that show how milk travels from the farm to school meals.
Virtual Dairy Tours, offered each spring and fall, transport classrooms to real New York dairy farms. Farmers walk students through the barns, explain how they care for their herds, and share what it takes to produce safe, high-quality milk every day. Programs like Adopt-A-Cow give classrooms a chance to follow a calf’s growth throughout the school year, building understanding and appreciation for agriculture in an engaging way.
These experiences bring dairy education in New York to life, turning simple questions about food into meaningful conversations about farming, animal care, and sustainability.
Investing in Schools and Communities
Much of this work is made possible through the Dairy Promotion Order, which supports nutrition outreach, school programming, and community partnerships across the state. These funds help expand dairy in school meals, strengthen farm-to-school milk efforts, and bring more educational opportunities to students and educators.
When schools, farmers, and organizations come together, that partnership reaches far beyond the cafeteria. It supports local economies, promotes dairy nutrition for kids, and ensures students have access to both healthy food and hands-on learning experiences.
A Commitment That Starts on the Farm
New York’s dairy farmers show up for their communities in countless ways like supplying fresh, local milk for school meals, opening their barns to students, and investing in programs that support health, wellness, and leadership.
Their work helps nourish students today while inspiring the next generation to understand where their food comes from and the people who care for it. And that’s something every New Yorker can feel proud of.