PITTSBURGH, PA — In an engaging op-ed in Lancaster Farming, Dave McCormick, a candidate for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, made a compelling case for the return of whole milk in American school lunches. McCormick’s argument, interweaving sports lore, nutritional science, and a dash of political contention, paints a vivid picture of a health policy issue that affects us all, particularly, the citizens of Pennsylvania.
To set the stage, McCormick evokes the memory of Philadelphia native Wilt Chamberlain, who celebrated his iconic 100-point NBA game by chugging a carton of milk. This image brings into sharp relief the deep-seated tradition and recognition of the health benefits of milk in Pennsylvania and across the nation.
However, this dairy-loving culture has faced challenges in recent years, with changes in nutritional policies significantly impacting milk consumption. A landmark moment was in 2010 when a law prompted by former First Lady Michelle Obama effectively banished whole milk from the National School Lunch Program. In a noble but misguided attempt to combat child obesity, fats – including those found in whole milk – were demonized and expelled.
But the times, they are a-changing. Advances in nutritional science have proven that the previous aversion to dairy fat was ill-advised. According to McCormick, multiple studies have debunked the idea that whole milk contributes to obesity. In fact, the contrary appears to be true – one study even suggests that whole milk can reduce the risk of obesity in children by 18%. Additionally, there’s potential for whole milk to mitigate high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
The removal of whole milk from school lunches not only potentially hindered children’s health but also deprived them of much-needed nutrition and protein. Recognizing these issues, Rep. G.T Thompson, a friend of McCormick, championed the “Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act” which passed the House of Representatives by a wide bipartisan margin – a testament to the recognition of whole milk’s benefits for children and dairy farmers alike.
This brings the legislation to the Senate, where it continues to enjoy bipartisan support, but also where opposition arises. McCormick’s opponent, Sen. Bob Casey, resists the bill, setting himself against the latest scientific consensus on whole milk. McCormick critiques Casey’s reliance on outdated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, asserting that an acceptance of the benefits of whole milk is overdue from the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services.
McCormick pulls no punches, accusing Sen. Casey and other left-wing politicians of abandoning Pennsylvania’s children and dairy farms in favor of over-regulation and junk science. It’s a bold claim highlighting the potential implications of policy decisions that affect the health and welfare of our states and country.
Pennsylvania’s dairy farms, which constitute approximately 5,000 family-owned businesses and support around 47,000 jobs, appear as collateral victims in the whole milk debate. In a passionate conclusion, McCormick, himself having experienced the realities of farm work in Bloomsburg, pledges to champion whole milk legislation and serve as an independent voice ready to cut through the red tape for the benefit of Pennsylvanians.
McCormick’s op-ed serves as a timely reminder of the need for informed, compassionate leadership in the U.S. Senate for Pennsylvania – a state where the stakes of the whole milk debate are deeply personal and far-reaching. His candor and conviction in putting the health of children and the prosperity of farmers at the forefront of his campaign warrants our attention and reflection as we enter the polling booths.
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