Natural Choice Family Farms Donates Milk Costs To Upper Scioto Valley Schools

Alger, Ohio – This year Ohio schools have new flexibility to offer students whole and 2% milk options. Natural Choice Family Farms, a dairy farm owned and operated by the Imboden family, is helping Upper Scioto Valley School District meet that need by providing a charitable contribution for the 2026-27 school year.

The support comes as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 and new U.S. Department of Agriculture rules once again allow schools participating in federal child nutrition programs to offer whole and 2% milk alongside other milk options. The donation was developed around the district’s annual milk costs, with the goal of relieving that expense and giving the district greater flexibility to direct other resources toward students.

The father and son duo behind Natural Choice first learned earlier this year about the added costs school districts could face. For some districts, adding whole and 2% milk could mean an additional $5,000 to $10,000 in annual milk costs. Natural Choice’s contribution covers Upper Scioto Valley School District’s annual milk budget for the 2026-27 school year, including the increased cost of offering whole and 2% milk to students.

“Every student deserves access to healthy and nutritious milk,” Les Imboden of Natural Choice Family Farms said. “Upper Scioto Valley is part of our community, and this was a direct way for us to support the school and give it more flexibility to put resources toward students

“We are grateful for Natural Choice Family Farms and the Imboden family’s investment in Upper Scioto Valley,” Superintendent Craig Hurley said. “Support from local partners helps us continue meeting the needs of our students and school community.

“Milk provides students with important nutrients they need to learn, grow and thrive, and giving them more choices can help encourage them to select and enjoy milk with their school meals,” said Scott Higgins, president and CEO the American Dairy Association Mideast. “This is an incredibly generous investment from an Ohio dairy farmer, and one that will make a meaningful difference for students and schools in these communities.