ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer says federal officials are taking steps to make Greek yogurt more available for school lunches -- a move that could mean more business for upstate producers and dairy farmers.

Schumer last summer asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to modify the federal school lunch program to incorporate Greek yogurt as a high-protein meat alternative. USDA officials told Schumer this week that they are starting a pilot program that could lead to more Greek yogurt in schools as early as April.

The Greek yogurt business has been booming nationwide. Two of the largest Greek yogurt producers, Chobani (choh-BAHN'-ee) and Fage (FYE'-yah), have production facilities in upstate New York and buy tons of milk from dairy farmers in the region.

Copyright 2013 The AP.