Tag: Got milk

In 1946, the U.S. National School Lunch Act mandated that every school lunch include milk. This powerful historical action reveals that government interest in this beverage extends beyond simple dietary advice, intertwining public health objectives with economic policy to promote why the government wants us to drink milk.

According to USDA data, the average American drank nearly 45 gallons of milk per year by 1945, demonstrating the deep roots of why milk is so popular in America. The journey to this cultural phenomenon is a compelling story of persistent government promotion, savvy marketing strategies, and evolving public perceptions of nutrition.

Facing a decades-long decline in fluid milk consumption, the dairy industry launched a powerful marketing effort in the 1990s. These campaigns, including the indelible 'Got Milk?' slogan, were a direct response to sinking sales and aimed to reshape consumer habits.