The School Milk experience can influence a child's milk-drinking behavior for life. That's why the year-long School Milk Pilot Test (SMPT), initiated through a partnership between national Dairy Council and the American School Food Service Association was conducted - to determine how milk needed to be enhanced to get students to choose it over other competing beverage options. The SMPT provides a model for improving milk's appeal to school children. The SMPT included upgraded packaging, more flavor variety, better merchandising, additional sales venues and more effective refrigeration. The SMPT was conducted in 146 schools,in 18 districts and included over 100,000 students. The pilot proved that school milk consumption and meal participation can be increased by enhancing the school milk experience - simply, more kids drank more milk and more students participated in the school lunch program. The biggest impact occured when all serving locations were enhanced - main line, a la carte, and vending. By improving childrens diets over time, through improved meal and milk consumption, children would be expected to reduce thweir lifetime risk of major health conditions while developing positive dietary habits that last a lifetime. School milk is an essential part of healthy nutrition for children. The New Look of School Milk model, represents a nutrional breakthrough for children and a new revenue source for the cafeteria.

• Executive Summary
• Final Report
• Encouraging School Milk Consumption in Schools Review