Chobani Greek yogurt chosen for school lunch expansion in Arizona
Jun 23, 2014, 4:32 PM | Updated: 4:32 pm
PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected New York-based Chobani Yogurt for a one-month contract to provide its yogurt to public schools in seven states, including Arizona.
According to Syracuse.com, Greek yogurt was put to the test last year and offered as a protein substitute in four states — Arizona, New York, Idaho and Tennessee.
In a range of three months, children consumed $300,000 worth of yogurt.
Encouraged by the results, the new contract will take effect this upcoming school year from August to September. The company will provide Chobani Greek yogurt in New York, Idaho, California, Iowa, Mississippi and Illinois.
In addition, the Buffalo-based Upstate Niagara Cooperative will supply Greek yogurt to schools in Arizona.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-N.Y.) said through her official website that this is great news for public schools.
“Greek yogurt like Chobani and Upstate Niagara is packed with healthy protein that our schoolchildren deserve access to in their school lunches.”
The school lunch pilot program hopes to expand to 12 states this fall.
