The Dairy Alliance, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, and Farm Credit of the Virginias have expanded the Milk Dispenser Grant Program for Virginia schools with combined funding totaling $155,000. The initiative includes a $115,000 grant from the Van der Lely Foundation, a $30,000 contribution from VSDA supporting Virginia K-12 school districts statewide, and a $10,000 sponsorship from Farm Credit of the Virginias dedicated to K-12 schools in Southwest Virginia.
All funding supports the MD Grant Program, covering milk dispenser equipment and kits that help schools transition away from single-use milk cartons. Through the partnership, VSDA will administer MD grants in collaboration with The Dairy Alliance, directing resources toward equipment, training, and technical support for participating school nutrition teams. The program helps schools enhance the milk experience for students while supporting sustainability goals and reducing cafeteria waste.
"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. Grant funding removes a key barrier for schools by offsetting equipment costs and providing hands-on guidance throughout installation and operation.
"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."
Milk dispenser programs continue delivering measurable results across the Southeast. Nearly three-quarters of children ages two through eighteen fall short of recommended daily dairy intake. 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.
With this combined funding, the MD Grant Program will expand into additional Virginia cities and counties beginning in early 2026. 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. The Van der Lely Foundation, which contributed the majority of funding, supports initiatives in sustainability and can be explored at https://vanderlelyfoundation.com.
