Subject: It’s time to add non-dairy options to the USDA Foods Available List

Dear CONTACT NAME,

I am writing to ask that you reach out to your contacts at the USDA regarding the addition of non-dairy options for the National School Lunch Program. There are more than 49 million children in grades K-12 in the United States. An estimated 12% of these students are lactose intolerant. That comes to about 408,000 students. That isn’t including students who do not consume dairy products for health, religious, ethical, and other reasons.

Children across America deserve non-dairy options. There is currently a Change.org petition with over 46,000 signatures asking the USDA to add plant-based milks, cheeses, and yogurts to the Foods Available List. 

The USDA Foods Available List contains nearly 200 foods offered to schools around the U.S. at a reduced rate and, oftentimes, at no cost. The time is now to let schools choose what is right for their students by adding non-dairy products that are healthier, delicious, and allergen and cruelty-free.

Please advocate for the addition of non-dairy options to the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s Foods Available List — because all children deserve a healthy lunch at school.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME

Subject: It’s time to add non-dairy options to the USDA Foods Available List

Dear CONTACT NAME,

I am writing to ask that you reach out to your contacts at the USDA regarding the addition of non-dairy options for the National School Lunch Program. There are more than 49 million children in grades K-12 in the United States. An estimated 12% of these students are lactose intolerant. That comes to about 408,000 students. That isn’t including students who do not consume dairy products for health, religious, ethical, and other reasons.

Children across America deserve non-dairy options. There is currently a Change.org petition with over 46,000 signatures asking the USDA to add plant-based milks, cheeses, and yogurts to the Foods Available List. Take a look at change.org/PlantBasedUSDA.

The USDA Foods Available List contains nearly 200 foods offered to schools around the U.S. at a reduced rate and, oftentimes, at no cost. The time is now to let schools choose what is right for their students by adding non-dairy products that are healthier, delicious, and allergen and cruelty-free.

Please advocate for the addition of non-dairy options to the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s Foods Available List — because all children deserve a healthy lunch at school.

Sincerely,

(Ask for the person you’re calling for and say that it is in regards to the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s Foods Available List.)

(Omit if leaving a message.) Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me!

I am calling about the USDA’s National School Lunch Program’s Foods Available List. I understand that you work with the USDA for our state so I am hoping to bring an important matter to your attention that affects thousands of STATE’s children.

There are an estimated 408,000 lactose intolerant children in US schools. Many of them receive reduced price or free lunches through this program but the program does not offer a single non-dairy milk, cheese, or yogurt option. If you take a look at the Foods Available List you’ll see that there are nearly 200 different food items to choose from. Surely, the USDA can add non-dairy options for the thousands of children that need it.

With your help, we can make this happen. There is already a petition with over 46,000 signatures in support of this mission. If you need any other information I can put you in contact with the non-profit organization that has spearheaded this.

(If they want more information they can email: Addison K. Lantz, Program Director, FARM

Addison@farmusa.org

Thank you so much for your time!