Why Do We Drink Milk in School?

↓ More info and sources below ↓

Did you drink milk in school? Congrats, you drank the results of a government subsidy program!

Today, Danielle takes a closer look at the milk given to school kids and what it can tell us about federal entitlement programs as well as government subsidies.

Written and Hosted by: Danielle Bainbridge
Produced by: Complexly for PBS Digital Studios
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Origin of Everything is a show about the undertold histories and cultural dialogues that make up our collective story. From the food we eat, to the trivia and fun facts we can’t seem to get out of our heads, to the social issues we can’t stop debating, everything around us has a history. Origin of Everything is here to explore it all. We like to think that no topic is too small or too challenging to get started!

Works Cited Compiled:

[Laura-qpiw]

I used to drink milk as a snack at school everyday and I also got terrible stomach cramps every day. It only took about 8 years to realize I was lactose intolerant

[Lycaon]

I really hate the dairy/cattle industry subsidies.

[cyclenut]

I started kindergarten in 68. That county in N.J. kids had to bring lunch.
All the rest of schools in N.J., MD, N.C., FL. and GA schools provided meals.
All schools I went to, meals were like healthy home cooked.
Also, in elementary school, we got a recess every hour. In N.C. this ended in 77 and high schools 75. Schools need to bring lots of recess back.
Having time to run and get mind of work made learning MUCH easier.

[margaritam.]

I love this woman and Simon Whistler educating me on dozens of random things :D

[TheRunningLeopard]

My school forced me to take milk despite me having a doctor's note that I'm lactose intolerant and often I would get yelled at by teachers for not drinking it.

[Hallows]

It's good to see another food-based episode. If any more are planned, I'd like to see your take on how crops from the Americas (chilies, potatoes, chocolate, ect...) were incorporated into the culinary traditions of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Depending on the time period and specific location, these foods could range from being outright rejected (for various reasons) to becoming staples and cultural icons.

[OutletFlow]

Starting the year off with strong bones! At least that's what milk ads want us to think.

[ananasupreme]

I don't even understand why kids in the USA have to pay for lunch, much less as to why this is even an argument that people are against. Unifying state budget to allow all public schools to receive all the things they need without copay is much smarter than depending on the taxes of the surrounding properties AND if you are against children having lunch for free in school you really need to rethink your priorities.

[heatherswanson]

The majority of people in the world are lactose intolerant. A lot of people are not aware of it because they came from cultures that have not traditionally consumed milk. I think the US (and Canadian) government should have an obligation to include a disclaimer about lactose intolerance in every milk ad-campaign.

[MrVasile]

Great first step into the very interesting and complex topic of entitlements!

[konthewondercow]

This is my new favorite informative youtube channel <3 It's written so well.

[JeremyWS]

When I was a child, , (I'm 29 yo now) my school always had cartons of white milk, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, orange juice, and sometimes apple juice. Children deserve healthier lunches than what most American schools serve. I look at the type of lunches that are serve to children in most European countries and think that American kids should be getting that type of lunch, not the type of lunch they are getting. So yes, healthier lunches would be a good idea.

Happy New Year. Have a nice day/night.
Great video, keep up the good work.

[vickypedias]

drink my soy milk and eat my green vegetables like an adult <3 i think i fell in love with you after hearing that line

[starcrossedvoyager]

I'm lactose intolerant but when I was in school, the teachers always made me put a carton of milk on my tray anyways. I always wasted that milk by throwing it away :/

[LolaGeek]

Nice use of a John Mulaney quote at 5:55 😂

[koirasikin]

In Finland we always have milk in school. Even 1st grade kids are constantly being told that we all should drink 6 glasses of milk every day in order to get enough calcium and we had posters all around school showing the pros of drinking milk. Getting enough calcium is of course important for growing kids, but honestly I feel there could be another way to get enough calcium than drinking milk, especially ways that contain less calories since teenager and child obesite are probably bigger problems.

[thomaspalmer]

No milk in France too, I remember the teacher could get wine tho :D

[Miluna]

Your such a joy to listen to, keep up the great work!

[FlyToTheRain]

I have a milk allergy so i always got juice instead of milk in school. I hate orange juice though so I pretty much always threw it out. It was really wasteful looking back on it, I'd really would have rather drank water.

[SarahBatya]

QUESTION: What is the connection (if any) between providing milk in school lunches and printing missing children ads on milk cartons?