Lattes are a popular beverage among students and staff, that contain more milk than coffee, and students can benefit from the 13 essential nutrients in milk.

FAQ’s

Lattes are a popular beverage among students and staff. In an ongoing trend, many routinely pick up coffee drinks on their way to school. According to the National Coffee Association, 37% of high school age kids drink coffee products, and the number is growing. You can not only take advantage of this situation, but you can make it healthier for students by ensuring they get milk with their coffee. Lattes contain more milk than coffee, and students can benefit from the 13 essential nutrients in milk, in a popular form that is on trend.

Yes, in high schools only. According to USDA Smart Snack rules, milk and coffee drinks are allowed in high schools only. Espresso (or coffee) with fat free milk (flavored or unflavored) is allowed and may also be combined with low fat (1%) flavored or unflavored milk, as long as there is no added flavoring during preparation or afterwards. Since low fat and fat free milk are allowable beverages, they are not included in the nutrition analysis. You only need to count the calories from added ingredients and flavorings (no more than 40 calories per 8 oz serving or 60 calories per 12 oz serving).

Adolescents should not exceed 100 mg of caffeine a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents aged 12-18 years should not exceed 100 mg of caffeine a day – the amount of caffeine in an 8 oz cup of coffee. The latte recipes in this program call for just 2 oz of coffee per serving, reducing the caffeine intake by 75%. Also, lattes in a coffee shop use espresso, but at school, only regular or decaf coffee may be used.

Yes, but only under certain circumstances. If a student can purchase a meal and then take their milk to the latte station, then the latte may be considered part of a reimbursable meal. The same is true if the milk can be made into a latte for an upcharge, such as offering to “make your milk into a latte for $1 more.” Another example would be to serve lattes prepared with 8 oz of milk as part of the reimbursable meal with the milk counted
as a component. Milk would still need to be offered individually on the line. In all cases, please check your specific state regulations to be certain.

Testimonials

Middletown, NJ

Added Moo Latte (cold brew) to their menu daily for lunch at Middletown High School South.

Saw a 15% increase in ala carte sales daily.