The Dairy Alliance has introduced the first portable milk dispenser system in Tennessee schools, marking a significant advancement in how students access and consume dairy nutrition during school meals. The Udderly Cold Portable Milk Dispenser, designed specifically for K-12 educational settings, maintains milk at a consistent 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which significantly improves flavor quality and encourages higher consumption rates among students.
This innovative system represents a collaborative effort between The Dairy Alliance, Kingsport City School District, and Sullivan County, Tennessee, with funding provided through an Endowment Grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The portable dispenser can hold up to 25 gallons of bulk milk bags, with smart design features allowing multiple bags to be connected for triple capacity. This configuration enables the system to dispense up to 400 perfectly portioned 8-ounce servings before requiring product rotation.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M., emphasized the dual benefits of the program during the ribbon cutting ceremony at John Sevier Middle School. "Milk dispensers in schools are a win for students and farmers alike," said Hatcher, a tenth-generation Tennessee dairy farmer. "Dispensers keep milk fresh and high-quality, reduce waste, and help schools serve the best possible milk to students every day. As farmers, we take pride in knowing our milk reaches students directly and at its highest quality."
The program's implementation addresses critical nutritional concerns in school-aged children. Jennifer Walker, RD, Kingsport City School Nutrition Director, highlighted the importance of milk consumption during developmental years. "Milk is the number one source of calcium in the diets of children and teens, and that matters—especially for teenage girls. I worry they're not drinking enough milk during the years when their bones need it most," Walker explained. "That's why we placed the new milk dispensers in schools—to encourage all students to enjoy milk with their reimbursable meal."
Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, described the broader implications of the initiative. "This program marks an important step forward in supporting student health and sustainable nutrition," Newberry stated. "By providing an innovative way of delivering dairy milk directly to students, we help schools incorporate nutritious dairy into daily meals and encourage them to build lifelong healthy habits." The program's success has already prompted expansion, with Hardin County Schools in Savannah, Tennessee implementing a similar Udderly Cold milk dispenser at Northside Elementary School.
Dr. R. Andrew True, Assistant Superintendent of Administration for Kingsport City School District, expressed appreciation for the partnership, noting that "innovation is always exciting, but it's especially so when it directly impacts the health and wellbeing of our students in such a positive and meaningful way." The portable milk dispenser system represents a practical solution to improving nutritional access while addressing environmental concerns through reduced packaging waste. For additional information about The Dairy Alliance's initiatives, visit https://thedairyalliance.com.
