N.Y. takes part in Greek yogurt program

New York will be one of four states participating in a pilot program in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase Greek yogurt on behalf of schools. If successful, the program will go national, according to U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, who announced the state”™s participation in the program.

The pilot program will test the cost effectiveness of purchasing Greek yogurt for schools operating the National School Lunch Program. It is limited to New York, Idaho, Arizona and Tennessee, Schumer said, because yogurt is highly perishable and the USDA wanted to test distribution to different regions of the country with varying proximity to yogurt manufacturers.

Schumer said he has fought for federal investment in the state”™s dairy facilities and for aid to New York”™s dairy farmers in a push to make New York the Greek yogurt capital of the United States. Greek yogurt makers Chobani, Fage, Alpina and Muller Quaker are headquartered in the state.

“Starting this school year, students across the state will be balancing New York-made Greek yogurt on their lunch trays,” Schumer said. “I am proud to see this pilot plan reach this final step because it”™s a boon for New York yogurt and dairy industries, and it”™s beneficial for the health of our kids.”

On July 8, the USDA issued a solicitation to vendors to supply the states”™ orders. Bids are due on July 22. The pilot program will be evaluated by December to determine its next steps.