Apr. 13, 2022
HARRISBURG – A package of legislation designed to promote healthier kids and the health of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry drew support Wednesday from state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).
“Dairy is truly one of Pennsylvania and Indiana County’s greatest assets, with production numbers increasing along with the demand for milk here in the northeast part of the country,” Struzzi said. “Our dairy farmers need all the help we can give them. How we get the most out of that asset is one of the challenges we face, and these bills will assist that effort.”
The bill drawing the most attention is one that would address the bad reputation that has been unfortunately attached to whole milk.
“The federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 made a drastic change in school cafeterias across the country,” Struzzi said. “It removed whole milk from the lunch line, which only resulted in trash cans filled with cartons of 1% fat and skim milk. House Bill 2397 would allow schools to return to offering students the vital nutrients that can only be obtained by consuming Pennsylvania-made whole milk.”
Struzzi also voted in favor of
House Bill 223, which would create Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones to help locate new dairy processing plants in Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania trails only Wisconsin among states with the most dairy farms, but much of our infrastructure is either aging or doesn’t take into account all of the options that are available in the dairy processing business,” added Struzzi. “Modern technology has resulted in the average cow producing more milk than ever before, and House Bill 223 would make doing business here more attractive so we can maximize use of the volume of milk being produced.”
Additionally, Struzzi endorsed legislation that would ensure Milk Marketing Board premiums get to struggling Pennsylvania dairy farmers.
“A premium which supports Pennsylvania dairy farmers is factored into the price we pay for milk,” said Struzzi. “Questions have been raised about whether or not that premium is being collected and distributed accurately.
House Bill 224 would increase transparency in the Milk Marketing Board’s accounting process.”
The House passed each of these bills, thus sending them to the Senate for future consideration.
For more information about this legislation, or any other state-related issue, contact Struzzi’s office at 1-724-465-0220.
Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137 (office), 717.497.5937 (cell)
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