There is currently a nationwide shortage of half-pint milk cartons in schools throughout multiple states. The shortage is mainly in the northeast states of America, but it has been spreading to different states more and more as each day goes by. It is now affecting states such as California and Washington. State officials and dairy industry suppliers state that there isn’t a shortage of milk, instead there is a shortage on the milk cartons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has stated that this is a supply chain issue. 

Most schools are required to serve students with some type of milk; therefore, the shortage is leaving students all over the country without the required beverage. Since the milk carton shortage started, schools are now allowed to serve different types of beverages to make up for the loss of milk cartons. Schools are now having to find alternative drink options for students such as juices, water, and using boxed milk instead of cartoned. 

The shortage is expected to affect places other than cafeterias like hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes. Other packaging suppliers and U.S. milk processors are working together to solve this problem. It is predicted to last several months and into early 2024. People hope that the shortage will be improved in the next few weeks instead of continuing to worsen and that it will be completely solved by the beginning of next year. 

At the rate the shortage is spreading it could eventually reach our state. So it is a good idea to stick to one or two milk cartons per person at lunch each day. Most people hope that the shortage will be resolved in the next few weeks or months and the milk carton supply will return to normal.