CLAUDIA LARSON

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836).

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836).

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions. Supported the EMIT LESS Act (S. 4056) to better target conservation programs toward feed management.

Immigration Reform - Worked on efforts to reform immigration rules relating to agricultural workers. NMPF supports legislative efforts to ensure that dairy farmers can keep their existing workforce while also creating an effective mechanism to allow them to access new workers, including the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 4319). NMPF also advocates for ensuring there are ag labor reforms either before or in conjunction with any other immigration reforms that may target farming operations as places of employment.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions. Supported the EMIT LESS Act (S. 4056) to better target conservation programs toward feed management.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836).

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836). Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions. Supported the EMIT LESS Act (S. 4056) to better target conservation programs toward feed management.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Estate tax - Supported efforts to reform and repeal estate taxes. NMPF has also supports efforts to create and improve tax credits for investment in technology that turns organic matter into biogas energy and removes nutrient particles from manure, Supported efforts to ensure that farmers can continue to use cash accounting. Supported efforts to ensure that cooperatives could count non-patronage income in the calculation of the 199A deduction as implemented by the Treasury Department. Supported passage of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024).

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions. Supported the EMIT LESS Act (S. 4056) to better target conservation programs toward feed management.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836). Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions. Supported the EMIT LESS Act (S. 4056) to better target conservation programs toward feed management.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Dairy Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131, H.R. 4366) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474, H.R. 5099) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs. This includes making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12, including as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill and the forthcoming FNS final rule on school meal standards for the 2024-25 school year and beyond. NMPF also supports efforts to expand the varities of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147). NMPF also advocates for the continued requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. Met with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over two FNS rules which will reduce dairy in WIC ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022) and which could reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023). Also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program and would address concerns with changes to the school meal programs requirements that would make it difficult for schools to continue to serve dairy food as they currently do due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Milk Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.

Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Dairy Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.

Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Milk Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.

Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Dairy Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

Immigration Reform - Worked on efforts to reform immigration rules relating to agricultural workers. NMPF supports legislative efforts to ensure that dairy farmers can keep their existing workforce while also creating an effective mechanism to allow them to access new workers, including the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 4319). NMPF also advocates for ensuring there are ag labor reforms either before or in conjunction with any other immigration reforms that may target farming operations as places of employment.

Immigration Reform - Worked on efforts to reform immigration rules relating to agricultural workers. NMPF supports legislative efforts to ensure that dairy farmers can keep their existing workforce while also creating an effective mechanism to allow them to access new workers, including the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 4319). NMPF also advocates for ensuring there are ag labor reforms either before or in conjunction with any other immigration reforms that may target farming operations as places of employment.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471) and H.R. 3372. Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs. This includes making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12, including as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill and the forthcoming FNS final rule on school meal standards for the 2024-25 school year and beyond. NMPF also supports efforts to expand the varities of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147). NMPF also advocates for the continued requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. Met with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over two FNS rules which will reduce dairy in WIC ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022) and which could reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023). Also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program and would address concerns with changes to the school meal programs requirements that would make it difficult for schools to continue to serve dairy food as they currently do due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs. This includes making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12, including as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill and the forthcoming FNS final rule on school meal standards for the 2024-25 school year and beyond. NMPF also supports efforts to expand the varities of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147). NMPF also advocates for the continued requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. Met with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over two FNS rules which will reduce dairy in WIC ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022) and which could reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023). Also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program and would address concerns with changes to the school meal programs requirements that would make it difficult for schools to continue to serve dairy food as they currently do due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842, H.R. 6687) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in FY 2024 appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Supported Future of Agricultural Resiliency & Modernization (FARM) Act (H.R.3814) and Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act (H.R. 4327). Climate change - provided feedback to House and Senate committees and member offices on potential climate change legislation and its impacts on the dairy sector. Feed additives - supported the Innovative Feed Act (S. 1842) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to reduce congestion and disruption at ports. Supported the Reliable Rail Service Act (S. 2071) to provide statutory clarity and enhanced oversight of the Surface Transportation Board to correct the rail transportation challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.

Advocated for Fiscal Year 2024 funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Advocated for bill language in Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bills (H.R. 4368, S. 2131)- to continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school feeding programs for all grade levels, to provide more considered added sugar levels and sodium levels in school meal programs to ensure schools can continue to have the freedom to serve dairy foods as works for them, and to maintain amounts of dairy allotment in WIC food allowance packages. Advocated for plus up funds for the COVID relief PMVAP program to be used to address the gap in reimbursement for farmers affected by the program's 5 million pound cap. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order.

Supported efforts to swiftly and effectively implement the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded access to the Livestock Gross Margin program. Supported tweaks to the Dairy Margin Coverage program's production history calculation. Supported incorporating the Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program into the underlying Dairy Margin Coverage program. Child Nutrition - NMPF is monitoring and educating Congress on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Making permanent 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and preventing sodium limitations from inadvertently leading to the reduction/removal of cheese from school breakfast and lunch programs. These efforts on school meal standards include advocating for language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) to protect 1% flavored milk and cheese in school meal programs. NMPF also advocated for a final FNS rule (for school years 2024-2025 and beyond) that will continue the allowance of 1% flavored milk in school breakfast and lunch programs for grades K-12 and weight natural occurring sodium and sodium used for functional and food safety purposes when imposing sodium limitations less than sodium used for taste purposes only, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to raise concerns that provisions in FNS's proposed rule ("Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published February 7, 2023) that would likely reduce the ability of schools to continue to serve dairy in school meal programs due to added sugar limits, sodium limits, and the potential prohibition of flavored milk in lower grade levels. *Expanding the varieties of milk allowed in school meal programs, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 1147, S. 1957). *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program, including meeting with congressional offices and USDA staff to voice concern over provisions in FNS's proposed rule which will reduce dairy in WIC if retained in the final rule ("Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages" published November 21,2022). NMPF also worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill (H.R. 4368, S. 2131) language provisions that would maintain the amount of dairy provided in the WIC program. NMPF also supports the bipartisan GIVE MILK Act (H.R. 5383) -- which would allow fluid milk options for many WIC participants to also include 2% and whole milk, expanding beyond the current options of 1% and skim only -- and the WIC for Kids Act (H.R. 5757) -- which would make it easier for those eligible for WIC to enroll by eliminating or reducing enrollment barriers and easing rigid enrollment requirements. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported efforts to increase funding for SNAP and other nutrition programs as well as USDA's flexibility in implementing these programs to support food insecure households during the downturn caused by and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (S. 1474) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated for reallocating funds from the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program to the Dairy Donation Program, given the Dairy Donation Program was more widely used and supports the donation of a wider variety of dairy foods. Supported legislative and administrative efforts to improve and modify dairy policy, including providing relief to dairy farmers for uncompensated COVID-19-related losses. COVID-19 - Supported the continued implementation of agricultural provisions of the 2020 COVID relief packages [CARES Act (H.R. 748), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) as signed into law on December 27, 2020] as well as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) to provide relief to farmers and families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supported related administrative actions, including Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, product purchases, milk disposal compensation, and milk donation assistance. Also seeking language in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill to require USDA to make pandemic assistance payments to producers in states whose milk is not pooled on a federal order. Supported efforts to ensure agricultural producers have access to the capital required to continue operating during and recover from a disaster. NMPF provides ongoing support for the WHIP-Milk Loss program and making dairy cooperatives eligible to make payments to producers. NMPF also supports similar efforts to extend government funding for disaster recovery as well as explore new ways to provide disaster aid to dairy farmers, including for farmers experiencing flood conditions. Supported efforts to enact legislation to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies. Supported efforts to revert back to the previous "higher of" Class I mover. Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program with the Dairy Business Innovation Act (S. 2267, H.R. 4894). Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557, H.R. 1249) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs.