Schools across the United States are grappling with a surprising challenge: a shortage of milk cartons. This shortage, not of the milk itself but the cartons it’s served in, has left districts from New York to California seeking alternative ways to provide milk with school lunches.

Pactiv Evergreen, a major packaging manufacturer based in Lake Forest, Illinois, acknowledged the issue in a recent statement. The company, known as a leading producer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America, cited “significantly higher than projected demand” for its milk cartons. This unexpected surge has hindered the company’s ability to fulfill some school milk orders, as confirmed by Matt Herrick, spokesperson for the International Dairy Foods Association.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recognized this supply chain disruption as a multi – state concern. In response, state education officials in California have advised schools to explore various options, such as offering limited milk choices, using shelf stable boxed milk, or dispensing milk in bulk.

The shortage, which potentially affects milk and juice supply in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons, has prompted nationwide brainstorming for contingency plans. In Clarence, New York, school officials are considering providing small water bottles or cupped milk with lids. Meanwhile, in Lake Stevens, Washington, students have already felt the impact, with chocolate milk missing from recent dairy deliveries, according to Jayme Taylor, the local district’s director of communications.

In a telling move, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has issued a memo allowing schools to serve different types or sizes of milk or even omit it during the shortage. The duration of this shortage is uncertain, with some schools in Everett, Washington, preparing for disruptions that could last several months.

Efforts are underway to address the shortage, with U.S. milk processors collaborating with other packaging suppliers. Herrick is optimistic about seeing improvements within weeks and expects the issue to be resolved by early next year.

This report is part of the Health and Science coverage by The Associated Press, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group.