The state’s education department is addressing the nationwide milk carton shortage, saying regulations are in place that will allow districts to serve alternative drinks with meals.

Spectrum News 1 spoke with Jill Chodak, a dietitian who thinks a replacement of the same caliber should be on the tray.

"When that's removed from these children's lives, especially if it’s in a city school district where many of families rely on those meals, both breakfast and lunch, for that meal for their kids, it can be a challenge," she said. "Some of the considerations that I think of, are replacing that dairy food group, and also kind of bumping up the protein as we are able to with the budget that we have in a school."

Chodak suggests replacements like yogurt and drinkable yogurts could supplement the lack of calcium and protein that milk gives to school-aged children. 

To learn more about the shortage and distribution process, click here.