Last week, the USDA released its final rule updating meal standards for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). The updated rule encompasses three key victories for dairy and child nutrition, and has drawn applause from industry stakeholders.

Late on Friday, March 8, and hours before the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown, the Senate passed the bill for a $460 billion spending package that includes funding for six federal agencies by a vote of 75-22. The bill, which was passed by the House with a vote of 339-85 earlier in the week, was then signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday.

Here’s a summary of news impacting your dairy as we close out the month of February.

This week, parents weighed in on their support for bipartisan legislation to provide whole and 2% milk in public schools, the dairy checkoff announced a pilot project for hot chocolate milk in schools, and a California congressman called for supply chain changes to ensure the availability of school milk.

Here’s an update on news impacting your dairy during the week before Christmas 2023.

Checks for November milk production will again reflect diverging Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Class III-IV milk prices.

The next meeting of the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is scheduled for Sept. 19-20.