Bulk Milk
Less Waste, Great Taste
Milk cartons and bottles — as well as discarded milk — are the biggest source of school food waste. Our Bulk Milk program provides grant packages to help schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups. Plus, milk tastes better and stays fresh longer when served in bulk!
Applications are closed. Sign up for the interest list below to be notified when applications open again.
Bulk Milk
Less Waste, Great Taste
Milk cartons and bottles — as well as discarded milk — are the biggest source of school food waste. Our Bulk Milk program provides grant packages to help schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups. Plus, milk tastes better and stays fresh longer when served in bulk!
Applications are closed. Sign up for the interest list below to be notified when applications open again.
Overview
Our Bulk Milk program helps schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups.
Making the switch drastically cuts milk packaging and liquid milk waste, reduces energy emissions, and lowers costs for schools. It also keeps milk colder and fresher longer, which keeps milk tasting great.
Serving milk in bulk is a win-win-win: for the environment, for students’ health, and for school meal programs’ bottom lines.
This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners at the Posner Foundation, Life Time Foundation, and Elevance Health Foundation.
Overview
Our Bulk Milk program helps schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups.
Making the switch drastically cuts milk packaging and liquid milk waste, reduces energy emissions, and lowers costs for schools. It also keeps milk colder and fresher longer, which keeps milk tasting great.
Serving milk in bulk is a win-win-win: for the environment, for students’ health, and for school meal programs’ bottom lines.
This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners at the Posner Foundation, Life Time Foundation, and Elevance Health Foundation.
How It Works
Schools and districts can apply for Bulk Milk grant packages. Grant packages provide nearly everything needed to transition from serving milk in single-use containers to serving it in bulk.
Grant packages includes a bulk milk dispenser, stand, reusable cups, dish racks, program and marketing materials, and technical assistance.
Bulk Milk grant cycles open as program funding is available.
Eligibility
- Grant packages are open to K-12 school districts in the U.S.
- Districts must participate in the National School Lunch Program with an enrollment of at least 100 students per school site.
- Schools must have a dish machine to wash reusable cups (cups and dish racks are provided in the grant package).
- Districts must be able to identify a bulk milk bib supplier in their area. See our national directory of milk bib suppliers. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of milk bib suppliers — if you do not see options in your area, reach out to your current milk and food suppliers to inquire about bib availability. We will continue to update our directory as more options become available.
- Districts must commit to serving only unflavored varieties of milk, or transition to serving only unflavored varieties within six months of bulk milk machine implementation.
How It Works
Schools and districts can apply for Bulk Milk grant packages. Grant packages provide nearly everything needed to transition from serving milk in single-use containers to serving it in bulk.
Grant packages includes a bulk milk dispenser, stand, reusable cups, dish racks, program and marketing materials, and technical assistance.
Bulk Milk grant cycles open as program funding is available.
Eligibility
- Grant packages are open to K-12 school districts in the U.S.
- Districts must participate in the National School Lunch Program with an enrollment of at least 100 students per school site.
- Schools must have a dish machine to wash reusable cups (cups and dish racks are provided in the grant package).
- Districts must be able to identify a bulk milk bib supplier in their area. See our national directory of milk bib suppliers. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of milk bib suppliers — if you do not see options in your area, reach out to your current milk and food suppliers to inquire about bib availability. We will continue to update our directory as more options become available.
- Districts must commit to serving only unflavored varieties of milk, or transition to serving only unflavored varieties within six months of bulk milk machine implementation.
Background
USDA guidelines for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs require that either low- or non-fat milk be offered with every school lunch or breakfast. As a result, most schools serve milk in either an eight-ounce carton or plastic bottle. With 31+ million lunches and 13+ million breakfasts served every single school day day—year after year—those cartons and bottles add up.
According to a recent World Wildlife Fund report, school food programs provide approximately 275 million half-pint carton servings of milk to students each day, resulting in packaging waste and milk waste if the carton is left unfinished. It’s estimated that 45 million gallons of milk is wasted each school year, roughly 32 cartons per student every year.
Background
USDA guidelines for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs require that either low- or non-fat milk be offered with every school lunch or breakfast. As a result, most schools serve milk in either an eight-ounce carton or plastic bottle. With 31+ million lunches and 13+ million breakfasts served every single school day day—year after year—those cartons and bottles add up.
According to a recent World Wildlife Fund report, school food programs provide approximately 275 million half-pint carton servings of milk to students each day, resulting in packaging waste and milk waste if the carton is left unfinished. It’s estimated that 45 million gallons of milk is wasted each school year, roughly 32 cartons per student every year.
Key Benefits
- Reduced cost for milk (3 to 5 gallon bags cost less than milk in individual cartons)
- Increased meal participation
- Flexible, low-waste approach to comply with free-and-reduced lunch standards
- Milk stays cold and at constant temperature (cartons in an open cooler lose one day of life expectancy for each hour it remains open)
- Reduced milk waste by students
- Increased student ownership in food service choices and portion size
- Opportunity to promote unflavored milk and eliminate flavored milk varieties
- Significant reduction of solid and liquid waste production which means reduced staff efforts for waste removal
- Lower disposal costs
- Reduced school environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduced energy costs
Key Benefits
- Reduced cost for milk (3 to 5 gallon bags cost less than milk in individual cartons)
- Increased meal participation
- Flexible, low-waste approach to comply with free-and-reduced lunch standards
- Milk stays cold and at constant temperature (cartons in an open cooler lose one day of life expectancy for each hour it remains open)
- Reduced milk waste by students
- Increased student ownership in food service choices and portion size
- Opportunity to promote unflavored milk and eliminate flavored milk varieties
- Significant reduction of solid and liquid waste production which means reduced staff efforts for waste removal
- Lower disposal costs
- Reduced school environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduced energy costs
How Much to Take? Option 1 - For schools that use Offer vs Serve (Take what you want, drink what you take)
How Much to Take? Option 2 - For schools that do not use Offer vs Serve (require 8oz)
Sustainability poster - Elementary students
Sustainability poster - Young adult students
How Much to Take? Option 1 - For schools that use Offer vs Serve (Take what you want, drink what you take)
How Much to Take? Option 2 - For schools that do not use Offer vs Serve (require 8oz)
Sustainability poster - Elementary students
Sustainability poster - Young adult students
