WASHINGTON – A bill introduced in the US Senate would provide participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with a dollar-for-dollar match when they purchase nutritious dairy products.

Supporters of the legislation, including the International Dairy Foods Association, point to data from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that states 90% of Americans do not consume enough milk and other nutritious dairy products.

IDFA president and chief executive officer Michael Dykes said the organization applauds Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) for Introducing the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act of 2023 and leading the efforts to make nutritious dairy products more obtainable.

“In this time of chronic food insecurity, it is critical that we find new ways to improve access to foods that nourish and promote good health and well-being, particularly for our nation’s most food-insecure individuals,” Dykes said. “Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are nutritional powerhouses, packing essential nutrients that promote healthy immune function, hydration, cognition, mental health, bone health and lower the risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

IDFA shared that the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program would expand the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive projects established by the 2018 Farm Bill, to include nutritious dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. 

“The program would build on the early learnings of the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive projects to provide SNAP participants with incentives where and when they can be most effective for encouraging consumption of healthy dairy products,” Dykes said. “It would also ensure the program can continue to expand to additional areas of the country, particularly in areas of most need.”