Obesity		While so many children are overweight or obese, they are at the same time undernourished. Calcium is one of the nutrients kids are not getting nearly enough of, putting them at risk for bone fractures, type II diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis later in life.
Competition		Today, children have access to foods and beverages with minimal nutritional value at home, school and everywhere in between. These items are attractively packaged and aggressively marketed, encouraging children to select them at the expense of healthier options. Even at school, kids are choosing milk less than ever.
Average Daily Participation		Participation in federally funded school meal programs has been stagnant for more than a decade. Based on the results of the School Milk Pilot Test, an enhanced school milk program including packaging, merchandising, and size and flavor variety, can significantly improve milk consumption and increase school meal participation.
The School Milk Pilot Test was conducted to see what effect offering an improved milk product in schools would have on milk consumption and school meal participation in lunch, and therefore on overall student nutrition.
What changes were made to school milk in the School Milk Pilot Test?

Convenient, Plastic Packaging in 8-,10- and 16-ounce Sizes
	Introduction of a Third Flavor (usually strawberry)
Improvements in Storage and Refrigeration to Ensure Ice-Cold Milk
	Increased Availability of Meal Line, Vended and À La Carte Milk