The Dairy Alliance, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, and Farm Credit of the Virginias have expanded their Milk Dispenser Grant Program with combined funding totaling $155,000 for Virginia K-12 schools. This initiative represents a significant investment in school nutrition infrastructure that addresses both student health and environmental sustainability concerns across the Commonwealth.
The funding package includes a $115,000 grant from the Van der Lely Foundation, a $30,000 contribution from the Virginia State Dairymen's Association supporting schools statewide, and a $10,000 sponsorship from Farm Credit of the Virginias dedicated specifically to K-12 schools in Southwest Virginia. All funding supports the MD Grant Program, which covers milk dispenser equipment and kits that help schools transition away from single-use milk cartons. The program's expansion into additional Virginia cities and counties is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
This partnership matters because it addresses a critical nutritional gap while simultaneously reducing environmental waste. According to program data, nearly three-quarters of children ages two through eighteen fall short of recommended daily dairy intake. The milk dispenser program has demonstrated measurable success in addressing this deficiency. At one early-adopting Virginia school, milk packaging waste dropped nearly 90 percent while milk consumption climbed more than 50 percent. Schools participating in MD grant programs consistently report an average milk movement increase of at least 14 percent.
"The Milk Dispenser Grant Program gives schools the tools and support they need to make real dairy milk more accessible for students," said Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance. "When schools remove barriers and modernize how they serve real dairy milk, students drink more of it and build healthier habits that last beyond the cafeteria." The Dairy Alliance's Youth Wellness team works closely with school nutrition directors to support implementation and promote the nutritional benefits of real dairy milk.
From an industry perspective, this program strengthens connections between schools and local dairy farmers. "Strong partnerships help schools deliver real dairy milk in a way that connects with students and supports local dairy farmers," said Eric Paulson, executive director of the Virginia State Dairymen's Association. "This combined investment allows more Virginia schools to participate in a proven program as they plan for the 2026 school year."
The Virginia State Dairymen's Association will administer MD grants in collaboration with The Dairy Alliance, directing resources toward equipment, training, and technical support for participating school nutrition teams. Grant funding removes a key barrier for schools by offsetting equipment costs and providing hands-on guidance throughout installation and operation. Ongoing data collection will track environmental impact, milk usage, and student engagement throughout the grant period.
For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com. Additional details about the Van der Lely Foundation, which contributed the majority of funding for this expansion, can be found at https://vanderlelyfoundation.com.
