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State agency summarizes new USDA memos giving schools more flexibility on milk and local beef
Summary
Senior compliance staff reviewed three USDA memos — SPO 01/2026 (Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act), SPO 02/2026 (Dietary Guidelines 2025–2030) and SPO 03/2026 (local beef guidance) — and explained new flexibilities for nondairy substitutes at lunch and procurement considerations for local beef.
Rhonda Mead, senior compliance and data manager for the Tennessee Department of School Nutrition, told attendees the agency is implementing guidance from three recent USDA policy memos that affect school meal operations.
"SPO 01/2026, which is Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, goes over implementation requirements for the National School Lunch Program," Mead said, noting the memo allows schools to offer whole milk as one of the fluid milk options at lunch and clarifies how nondairy beverages may be offered.
Mead said the new memos require two different types of fluid milk be offered daily and that…
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