The dairy community rejoiced as President Donald J. Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law on Jan. 14. The bill brings whole milk back onto school menus for students across the nation by modifying the requirements for milk provided by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
Several dairy farmers were in attendance for the bill signing ceremony at the Oval Office, including New Mexico dairy farmer Tara Vander Dussen. Progressive Dairy visited with Vander Dussen to learn more about her experience and the significance of this bill for dairy farmers, parents and children alike.
What does the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act mean to you both as a mother and a dairy farmer?
VANDER DUSSEN: It’s exciting that whole milk is back in schools. As a dairy farmer, this was a huge milestone for us. We’ve been fighting for this bill to pass for about 15 years. We know that kids like whole milk better, but I think this bill goes so far beyond that. As a parent, it’s about choice for our kids. With this bill, not only do children now have access to whole milk in schools, but they also have access to alternatives. This puts the choice of which milk students choose to drink back in the hands of the parents and students. Overall, I think this is a win for the millions of children that depend on school lunches for nutrition.
Describe the experience.
VANDER DUSSEN: There have been literally hundreds if not thousands of people behind the scenes working on this bill for about a decade and a half. So, I think for me and the other dairy farmers in the room, it was really powerful to be able to see it signed into law. That was the same week that we saw the new food pyramid, so it felt like such a win for so many people across the country.
It was surreal to be there in person with my daughters, Gwenevere, 11; and Anneliese, 8, and to see the experience through their eyes in addition to my own experience. We were sitting in the Roosevelt Room beforehand, and I was thinking about how many world leaders, diplomats, senators, members of Congress and others have been there. Then when we were in the Oval Office, thinking about all the presidents that have sat behind that desk. Being there representing dairy and reflecting on the significance of all of that was very moving.
What did your daughters think of their trip to the Oval Office?
VANDER DUSSEN: I think they were aware of the significance on some level. Beforehand, I had my daughters practice handshakes, saying “Mr. President” and we ran through a few things. My youngest was pretty nervous, so I told her, “You know what? He’s just a regular guy. He’s somebody’s dad, he’s somebody’s granddad.” Although they both informed me, “Mom, he’s not just a regular guy.”
One of my biggest takeaways was how accommodating and welcoming the staff was of all the kids that participated. For example, they prepared them for what it was going to be like when the media started asking questions. Even as an adult, that part was very overwhelming when reporters started shouting questions in our general direction. Overall, the entire experience was amazing for all three of us.
Once the cameras were off, President Trump was really engaged with the kids. He pressed his infamous Diet Coke button and had a glass bottle of Diet Coke delivered to the desk. All the kids thought that was really something. I just can’t say enough about how good the staff was with the kids, and I think that helped put nervous kids at ease.
Did anything surprise you?
VANDER DUSSEN: Aside from how accommodating they were of the kids, I was surprised how small the Oval Office is; it seems a lot bigger on television. During a televised briefing or signing ceremony, you see the media shouting questions at whomever is in front of them – whether that be the press secretary or the president. Seeing that in person was crazy. I would imagine it is very intimidating, and they have to be very quick on their feet.
Something else that surprised me was how quickly this entire thing came together. I was out of the country on vacation with my husband and received a phone call on a Monday afternoon. After playing phone tag for a bit, they told me they wanted me there for the signing ceremony on Wednesday. However, they said they won’t know if I could come until Tuesday at noon. When they called me back mid-day on Tuesday, they said they would also like my daughters to come. Then it was a mad dash to have my mom fly the girls from New Mexico to Washington, D.C., and I flew back into the country. It was less than 24 hours from the time they gave me the go ahead that Tuesday until the time we were in the Oval Office on Jan. 14.
How were you selected to be one of the dairy farmers in attendance?
VANDER DUSSEN: I am part of a big group that participates in quarterly calls with the USDA where we hear about programs, issues and other things they are working on. Through that group, I had the opportunity to interview Secretary Rollins for my podcast (Discover Ag) a few months ago. When the president came to her and asked what dairy farmers she would like to be there, she threw my name into the ring. So I was really thankful for that. There were several dairy farmers there that day from across the country.
