As milk carton shortage affects students, Sen. Schumer calls for investigation

Senator Chuck Schumer, D-New York, is demanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigate the national milk carton shortage that is financially crippling New York dairy farmers and keeping milk out of the hands of schoolchildren.

Schumer is asking the USDA to offer dairy farmers technical assistance to help them get through the shortage and to come up with creative solutions to get milk to schools across the country, according to a statement on the senator’s website.

USDA standards require that milk be offered with breakfast and lunch at schools.

“Milk is an essential part of our students’ school lunches and the lifeblood of our Upstate NY agricultural economy, but with a national milk carton shortage looming over our schools, now is the time for the USDA to step up to ensure farmers get more support to continue their essential work,” Schumer said in a statement.