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‘Got Milk’ bill divides committee over costs, practical fixes as lawmakers weigh allowing free single cartons
Summary
Representative Allen's proposal to let students who bring lunch take just a milk without taking a full reimbursable meal prompted debate over a $9.3 million fiscal note, contracted food-service rules and potential low-cost local fixes.
A proposal to allow students who bring a lunch from home to receive only a free milk — rather than being required to take a full reimbursable meal — prompted broad committee discussion on March 25 about food-service contracts, federal reimbursement rules and the Minnesota Department of Education's fiscal estimate.
Representative Allen presented House File 2,387 saying the measure would reduce food waste and save taxpayer dollars. Allen cited a per-lunch average cost of $4.50 and said milk accounts for about $0.50; he argued that when students who bring lunch want only milk, allowing them to get milk without taking a full meal would prevent wasted lunches and net savings.
Beth Geiss, superintendent of Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools, supported the bill and described local sharing…
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