Norwalk Public Schools Introduce New Hot Chocolate Milk Program

Information via Norwalk Public Schools

NORWALK, CT — This fall, Norwalk Public Schools is offering hot chocolate milk to students after a successful pilot during the 2023-2024 school year.

According to a news release provided by the school district, the program received funding from CT Milk Promotion Board, National Dairy Council, and Chartwells to purchase equipment to start hot chocolate milk programs in six schools.

Hot chocolate milk is simply chocolate milk served warm. Students receive the same essential nutrients from the milk, but the beverage is presented in a fresh and exciting new way. It's a confirmed hit with the students in Norwalk.

"The kids love the hot chocolate milk program," Damaris Colon, lead at Nathan Hale Middle School, said in a news release. "It was a fantastic program for the children in Nathan Hale Middle School, especially in winter."

The district applied for the funding because they saw a need to enhance menu offerings to increase meal participation. The popularity of specialty beverages is increasing, and hot chocolate milk provides cafeterias with a healthy, nutrient rich option to serve their students.

Norwalk Public Schools has found that with the addition of hot chocolate milk, students now have more opportunities to meet their nutritional needs during the school day. At the six schools where hot chocolate milk was offered, the district noted a 10 percent increase in breakfast participation.

"The staff were happy to serve an additional option to the students," Chartwells Resident District Manager Angela Valentin said in a news release. "The warm beverage was a big hit with the students and a great addition to their breakfast."

Research shows when students consistently start their school day with a nutritious meal, such as school breakfast, they have significantly less absences, an increase in standardized math scores, are less likely to repeat a grade, and have a better chance of graduating high school.

Many foods offered through school meal programs are locally grown and produced, which in turn supports Connecticut farmers. Schools are reimbursed for school meal programs based on participation, so when more students participate in school meals, they receive more funding to reinvest in their program.

Funding for the grant was provided by the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board. Connecticut dairy farmers have invested in child nutrition for over a century.

One of the many ways they support school meals is by providing funds for schools to purchase equipment that ensures all students have access to healthy meals.

Valentin said Norwalk Public Schools are continuing the program in the 2024-25 school year.

"We're bringing hot chocolate milk back in October as the weather starts to change," Valentin said. "We're looking to continue in all six upper schools three days a week and as the weather gets colder, we would like to increase to five days."