USDA Adds Greek Yogurt to School Lunches

The Department of Agriculture said Monday that it wants to buy Greek yogurt to add to lunches at schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program.

The USDA Greek Yogurt Pilot Program will begin September 2013 for the upcoming school year in four states — New York, Tennessee, Idaho, and Arizona — each representing the four major regions of the country, The Hill reports.

The purpose of the program is to see if adding Greek yogurt to school lunches is a cost effective way to add a healthy protein choice for students.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York made a petition for the program in June 2012. New York is home to several large yogurt companies including Chobani, which also owns a large plant in Idaho.

"Students across the country will be balancing NewYork-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."

The USDA will determine the next steps of the program in December 2013.