Hot Chocolate Program Grant

For Schools

Hot Chocolate Program Grant for Schools

Dairy Council of Arizona recognizes the importance of a healthy, nutritious, and well-rounded diet for the health of Arizona children and is committed to assisting schools in providing healthful and desirable options to their student population. Milk provides essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin D which are crucial for the bone growth and development of new muscular tissues that occur during an adolescent’s formative years. The goal of the Hot Chocolate-Milk Program is to help students consume the recommended 3 cups of dairy per day while giving schools a warm and fun beverage the students can enjoy.

As part of this mission, the Dairy Council of Arizona will award five selected schools a grant to serve hot chocolate-milk. Awarded schools will receive a 4 3/4 gallon Hot Chocolate Milk (HCM) machine designed by Hubert and 500 custom hot chocolate milk serving cups There is NO additional plumbing or electrical required to run the machine. Awarded schools will be required to submit the provided Hot Chocolate Milk Machine Pilot Tracking Sheet monthly for six separate active school months. After six submissions, schools will no longer require to track information.

Hot Chocolate Program Benefits

The USDA allows schools to serve fat-free & low fat (1%) flavored milk with a reimbursable meal. Many processors offer low fat (1%) chocolate milk in half-gallon or gallon containers. Milk consumption often declines during adolescence, particularly around ages 11-14, as students become more selective. Offering appealing options like hot chocolate milk can help counter this decline, making milk more enticing and encouraging students to drink more. By serving hot chocolate milk more students may participate in grabbing a reimbursable meal and increase a school’s ADP.

Why Hot Chocolate Milk?

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Nutrition

Adolescents’ bones are growing at a rapid rate and their body needs calcium and vitamin D to help support this process. Additionally, many are active in sports or other activities and need protein to help their body repair and build new skeletal tissue as they continue to develop. Milk is a rich source of all 3 of these essential nutrients; adding an appealing option like hot chocolate milk to the menu can help encourage students to drink more milk, improving overall intake and promoting better nutrition

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Compliance

An 8oz serving of hot chocolate milk is compliant with USDA guidelines as an additional part of a reimbursable meal or as an a 12oz sering for an a la carte option. 1 gallon of hot chocolate milk will make 16 – 8oz servings.

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Boost Meal and Milk Consumption

Hot chocolate milk is a popular choice among students, and its familiar taste can encourage them to participate in school meal programs. Consumption of school lunches and milk typically declines as children enter adolescence, particularly around middle school age. By offering hot chocolate milk, schools can increase the appeal of their menus making students more likely to choose school meals over outside options.

Apply Now!

Application Details

Applications will be evaluated and selected by the Dairy Council of Arizona. Grant proposal/applications must be submitted using the form below between April 7th and May 2nd, 2025 by 5 PM. Dairy Council of Arizona will award up to five grant school sites. Successful applicants will be notified on or before May 7th, 2025.

Please reach out to owen.valadez@dairycouncilofaz.org regarding late applications.

Hot Chocolate Program Grant

For Schools