Georgia Milk Producers Provide Funding For Milk Dispensers in Georgia Schools

Georgia Milk Producers Fund Bulk Milk Dispensers for Schools Across Georgia

The Georgia Milk Producers are investing in the next generation by helping bring bulk milk dispensers to schools across the state. The initiative is aimed at improving milk quality for students, increasing consumption, and reducing waste—while also supporting Georgia dairy farmers.

We caught up with Bryce Trauger with the Georgia Milk Producers to learn more about the program and why it matters to dairy farmers. According to Trauger, the effort began earlier this year when the Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors approved significant funding to support the project.

“The Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors voted earlier this year to contribute $200,000 towards a partnership with the Dairy Alliance to help place bulk milk dispensers in schools across Georgia,” Trauger explained.

Through this partnership, several school systems have already begun seeing the benefits. Bartow County, located northwest of Atlanta, became one of the first counties in Georgia to install a bulk milk dispenser in one of its middle schools. The success of that initial installation helped pave the way for expanded adoption.

“And I believe through the work that we’ve been able to help fund through the Dairy Alliance, they now have bulk milk dispensers in all of their high schools as well,” Trauger said.

Bulk milk dispensers allow students to pour their own milk rather than opening individual cartons. This approach has proven effective in improving both the student experience and overall efficiency in school cafeterias. Georgia dairy farmers strongly support the program because it allows students to enjoy milk in a way that fits their preferences.

“Our farmers are passionate about this project because we want to be able to serve our students the best quality milk in the form that they choose to enjoy it,” Trauger noted.

There are also practical benefits for schools and students. “These bulk milk dispensers often provide students with colder, fresher tasting milk and they tend to drink more of it and waste less of it when they can drink from the dispensers,” he added.

Reducing food waste while increasing milk consumption makes the program a win on multiple levels. Students are more likely to drink milk they enjoy, schools reduce discarded cartons, and dairy farmers see stronger demand for real dairy milk.

“So it’s a win-win for the dairy farmers, the schools, and the students,” Trauger said.

As the program continues to expand, Georgia Milk Producers say they are proud to support efforts that connect local agriculture directly to student nutrition. By investing in bulk milk dispensers, Georgia’s dairy farmers are helping ensure students receive high-quality milk while building long-term support for the state’s dairy industry.

Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.