Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-C Utica/Rome) and Senator Joseph Griffo (R-C-Rome) announced that they introduced legislation to establish a milk pilot program in Oneida County schools to address the shortage of half-pint cartons (A.8379/S.7828). The initiative would support our county’s school districts to purchase self-serve milk dispensers and bulk milk orders and receive reimbursements.

“Students should not miss out on receiving milk with their meals because of a shortage of half- pint cartons,” said Buttenschon. “Dairy farmers play a vital role in producing milk that holds great nutritional value, especially for children. While there is not a shortage of milk, my legislation will help these farmers sell more by providing an alternate solution to the carton problem. Milk provides our students with the nourishment their body needs to grow, and I will always advocate for laws that put the well-being of our youth first.”

“It is important that students and schools have access to milk despite a shortage of packaging," said Sen. Griffo. "This legislation will alleviate issues caused by a lack of milk cartons, provide for potential solutions to address and prevent this problem from happening in the future and will help hardworking dairy farmers in the region and state.”

While other measures are being taken to assist in the milk carton shortage, this pilot program could provide a long-term solution to this crisis and prevent it from happening again.

Buttenschon and Griffo’s bill would allow greater flexibility in how milk can be served to students, helping alleviate the problem of only being able to produce half-pint cartons of milk.