New Bipartisan Bill Could Unlock More Milk Choices for WIC Participants

 A new bipartisan effort in Congress is taking aim at current milk restrictions in the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, offering families greater flexibility and access to the nutritious milk options they already use at home.

This week, U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) introduced the Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk Into the Lives of Kids (GIVE MILK) Act, legislation designed to allow WIC participants over the age of 2 to purchase 2%, reduced fat or whole milk through the program.

Currently, WIC guidelines restrict milk purchases to nonfat or 1% options, a policy many argue is outdated with both consumer preferences and nutritional science.

“For more than a decade, whole milk has been wrongfully dubbed as unhealthy, but in reality, it provides a wealth of essential nutrients that are particularly important for children,” says Rep. Thompson. “Including whole milk in the WIC program will provide a healthy option for those families who find themselves depending upon these benefits for access to essential nutrition.”

Deluzio emphasizes the importance of giving families choice.

“Parents should have the freedom to choose what kind of milk they bring home to their families,” Deluzio says. “Yet the WIC program doesn’t allow parents to buy whole or 2% milk. I’m proud to co-lead the GIVE MILK Act with Congressman Thompson to fix this, giving the full range of milk options to families in Pennsylvania and across the country.”

Widespread Industry Support

The legislation is drawing strong support from leading voices in the dairy industry.

“WIC plays a vital role in ensuring that pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children can gain the nutrients needed for health and development,” says Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “Reduced-fat and whole milk are the most popular milk options in the U.S., so it’s common sense to allow these healthful, popular options to be purchased through WIC.”

Michael Dykes, DVM, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), points to consumer data that supports the bill’s direction.

“Recent national polling conducted by IDFA and Morning Consult shows that 91% of parents serve their children whole or 2% milk at home,” Dykes says. “Yet current WIC rules don’t allow them to choose preferred options like whole and 2% milk — options that provide the same important nutrients as all fluid milk, including calcium, protein and key vitamins.”

Dykes praises the GIVE MILK Act as a “common-sense fix” that strengthens WIC’s reach and helps make the program more attractive to eligible mothers and children.

A Boost for Pennsylvania’s Dairy Industry

The bill also carries particular significance in Pennsylvania, where dairy is a major economic driver.

“We are pleased to see Representatives Thompson and Deluzio re-introduce the GIVE MILK Act,” says Bailey Fisher, federal affairs specialist at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “Their leadership on this bill is especially meaningful, given how significantly the dairy industry contributes to Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy.”

“This crucial bill is another step toward offering children whole and 2% milk — some of the most wholesome and nutritious beverages available,” Fisher adds. “It’s a common-sense piece of legislation that will result in healthier children and help sustain our local family dairy farms.”

Looking Ahead

If passed, the GIVE MILK Act would mark a significant change for the WIC program, aligning it more closely with both consumer behavior and updated nutrition science. Supporters say it’s a long-overdue step toward ensuring families get to decide which milk works best for them.