Bulk Milk
Milk cartons and bottles — as well as discarded milk — are the biggest source of school food waste.
Our Bulk Milk program helps schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups.
Plus, milk tastes better and stays fresh longer when served in bulk!
Our next round of applications will be available in Spring 2026. Sign up for the interest list to stay in the loop.
Bulk Milk
Milk cartons and bottles — as well as discarded milk — are the biggest source of school food waste.
Our Bulk Milk program helps schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups.
Plus, milk tastes better and stays fresh longer when served in bulk!
Our next round of applications will be available in Spring 2026. Sign up for the interest list to stay in the loop.
About
Bulk Milk helps schools make their meal programs more environmentally sustainable — and more delicious.
Schools are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer students milk with every lunch or breakfast they serve. Most schools today serve milk in disposable cartons or plastic bottles. With 31+ million lunches and 13+ million breakfasts served every single school day, year after year, milk packaging and liquid waste is one of the biggest sources of waste generated by school food programs.
Bulk Milk grants eligible schools across the country nearly everything they need to transition from serving milk in single-use cartons or bottles to serving milk in bulk. This includes bulk milk dispensers, staff training, marketing materials, and technical assistance.
Serving milk in bulk not only lets schools drastically cut waste, it keeps milk colder and fresher longer. Kids consistently report milk tastes better when its served in bulk!
This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners at the Posner Foundation, Life Time Foundation, and Elevance Health Foundation.
About
Bulk Milk helps schools make their meal programs more environmentally sustainable — and more delicious.
Schools are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer students milk with every lunch or breakfast they serve. Most schools today serve milk in disposable cartons or plastic bottles. With 31+ million lunches and 13+ million breakfasts served every single school day, year after year, milk packaging and liquid waste is one of the biggest sources of waste generated by school food programs.
Bulk Milk grants eligible schools across the country nearly everything they need to transition from serving milk in single-use cartons or bottles to serving milk in bulk. This includes bulk milk dispensers, staff training, marketing materials, and technical assistance.
Serving milk in bulk not only lets schools drastically cut waste, it keeps milk colder and fresher longer. Kids consistently report milk tastes better when its served in bulk!
This program was made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners at the Posner Foundation, Life Time Foundation, and Elevance Health Foundation.
Impact
In 2023, we awarded a total of 43 dispensers to 18 school districts from 11 states as part of our inaugural cohort of Bulk Milk grantees. With these 43 grants, we supported school districts in introducing bulk milk dispensers to almost 42,000 K-12 students. During Summer 2025, we conducted an online survey to understand the implementation of bulk milk dispensers among 2023 grantees after one complete calendar year with the new equipment in cafeterias. The results showed the significant positive impacts of the program, including:
- 100% of bulk milk dispensers granted to districts are still in use, and offer bulk milk daily.
- 91% of grantees reported that the percentage of waste attributed to milk packaging DECREASED after implementing bulk milk dispensers.
- 90% of grantees reported that the percentage of waste attributed to liquid milk DECREASED after implementing bulk milk dispensers.
Impact
In 2023, we awarded a total of 43 dispensers to 18 school districts from 11 states as part of our inaugural cohort of Bulk Milk grantees. With these 43 grants, we supported school districts in introducing bulk milk dispensers to almost 42,000 K-12 students. During Summer 2025, we conducted an online survey to understand the implementation of bulk milk dispensers among 2023 grantees after one complete calendar year with the new equipment in cafeterias. The results showed the significant positive impacts of the program, including:
- 100% of bulk milk dispensers granted to districts are still in use, and offer bulk milk daily.
- 91% of grantees reported that the percentage of waste attributed to milk packaging DECREASED after implementing bulk milk dispensers.
- 90% of grantees reported that the percentage of waste attributed to liquid milk DECREASED after implementing bulk milk dispensers.
Get Involved
Schools
Learn more about Bulk Milk on The Lunch Box, our website and free resource library for schools.
You can also subscribe to our Bulk Milk interest list to get notified when the next round of grant packages become available.
Supporters
Are you interested in partnering with us to support Bulk Milk grant packages? You can help more schools cut their biggest source of food and packaging waste. Contact our Foundation Relationship Manager Tracey O’Donohue at tracey.odonohue@chefannfoundation.org to learn more.
Get Involved
Schools
Learn more about Bulk Milk on The Lunch Box, our website and free resource library for schools.
You can also subscribe to our Bulk Milk interest list to get notified when the next round of grant packages become available.
Supporters
Are you interested in partnering with us to support Bulk Milk grant packages? You can help more schools cut their biggest source of food and packaging waste. Contact our Foundation Relationship Manager Tracey O’Donohue at tracey.odonohue@chefannfoundation.org to learn more.
