Grant will expand milk dispenser program in Virginia schools

Source: VA Farm Bureau

BRIDGEWATER, VA — The Virginia State Dairymen’s Association has received a $115,000 grant to expand the use of bulk milk dispensers in school cafeterias across the commonwealth.

The grant was made possible by the Van der Lely Foundation, an independent initiative contributing to a better world through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Switching to milk dispensers eliminates cartons, which lowers packaging waste. Image credit - VA Farm Bureau

This investment marks a major step in helping more Virginia schools transition from single-use milk cartons to a more student-friendly way of serving milk, said Eric Paulson, VSDA executive director.

To date, the milk dispenser grant program has supported 54 schools across 19 districts, totaling 77 dispensers statewide. Starting in 2026, VSDA will expand the project to 18 additional cities and counties through July 2027.

“This support accelerates a project that’s already proving its value in Virginia schools,” Paulson continued. “We’re seeing less waste, higher milk consumption, and an overwhelmingly positive response from school staff and students. It’s a simple change with a big impact.”

Roughly three-quarters of children ages 2 to 18 do not consume the daily recommended amount of real dairy, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Switching to milk dispensers eliminates cartons, which lowers packaging waste. Meanwhile, access to dispensers significantly increases student milk consumption. At one of the pilot schools, milk packaging waste dropped by nearly 90%, while overall consumption rose more than 50%.

Homestead Creamery in Franklin County delivers milk directly to 30 schools and universities utilizing the dispensers.

“Kids love the independence milk dispensers give them to pick their flavor of ice-cold milk,” said Erin Saacke, sales manager. “The dispensers keep it much colder than refrigerated cartons, which can be a challenge to open.”

And some students don’t like the taste of the carton, she added, which results in waste of unopened containers.

“When serving themselves from the dispensers, we are finding that the kids actually are drinking it all and receiving the nutrients they need,” Saacke said. “We look forward to expanding into more school systems and appreciate that the milk dispensers preserve our product quality.”

Homestead Creamery’s fall Farm Day connects families to the region’s farming traditions and dairy sector.

“And they want to support local agriculture by drinking local milk,” Saacke said.

Strengthening that connection between Virginia students and the local dairy farms feeding their communities is at the heart of this effort, Paulson added.

“We’re grateful to the Van der Lely Foundation for believing in this work,” he said. “They’re helping us scale something that benefits kids, farmers and the environment.”