The American Soybean Association (ASA) watched Wednesday as the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. Among other things, the measure includes new provisions allowing schools to be reimbursed for offering soymilk to students. It was passed by unanimous voice vote.

"The provisions pertaining to soymilk require children who don’t drink cow’s milk to obtain a parent’s note requesting an alternative, like soymilk," said ASA Board member Barb Overlie, a soybean producer from Lake Crystal, Minn. "While this is not the simple ‘local school choice’ provision that ASA advocates, it is a step forward in making soymilk a reimbursable part of the school lunch and breakfast program."

Some children served by the school lunch and other child nutrition programs, particularly those from minority populations, do not consume cow’s milk due to lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is prevalent in some population groups as early as two years of age.

Soymilk companies have indicated their willingness to publicize this approach and believe some schools will take full advantage of the new provision. ASA will continue to work with the Senate on report language to make sure that all children who don't drink milk gain greater access to an alternative beverage, whether the reason for an alternative is medical, religious or cultural.

Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) both spoke on behalf of soymilk and creating wider access for kids who don’t drink milk. ASA will be asking both the Arkansas and Nebraska associations to thank their senators for speaking on behalf of soybean producers.

School foodservice directors from across the country have written hundreds of letters in support of soymilk as an option for their school children who do not drink cow’s milk to have an opportunity to consume a beverage containing protein, calcium, vitamin D and other essential nutrients for growth and development. Fortified soymilk contains calcium, vitamin A and Vitamin D equivalent to cow’s milk, as well as iron, B vitamins and high quality protein. Soymilk is low in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol.

"Our goal has always been to make sure that when this legislation goes into effect, kids who don’t now have access to soymilk will get it," Overlie said. "That goal will be met."

Following yesterday’s vote, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 was forwarded to the full Senate for its consideration. It is unclear at this time when the Senate will debate the measure. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a similar measure, H.R. 3873, earlier this spring. It also contains provisions enabling schools to be reimbursed for offering soymilk to their students.