Special Milk Program
What is the Special Milk Program?
The Special Milk Program is a federally funded program that
provides reimbursement for milk served by schools, camps,
and child care institutions that have no other federal Child
Nutrition Program. The primary purpose of the program is to
encourage the consumption of fluid milk by children.
There are two program options from which sponsors may choose:
- Paid Milk
In the paid milk option all students are charged for
the cost of providing milk minus the federal reimbursement.
Household income applications are not required.
- Free Milk
The free milk option provides milk free of charge to
students who are determined eligible, based on the household
income guidelines. Children who do not meet the household
income requirements may purchase milk if participating in
a pricing program.
Who qualifies for participation in the program?
The Special Milk Program provides reimbursement to schools
and non-profit child care institutions that offer milk to
children who do not have the option to participate in any
other federally supported child nutrition program such as
National School Lunch and School Breakfast. Non-profit child
care institutions include summer camps, day care centers and
homeless shelters devoted to the care and training of children.
Enrolled children may participate in the Special Milk Program
if they
- Attend school and are under 21 years of age;
- Attend a child care institution and are under 19 years
of age;
- Attend split-session kindergarten classes and do not
have the option of participating in any other federally
supported child nutrition program; or
- Are mentally or physically disabled and participate in
a school program.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast
Programs may also participate in the SMP to provide milk to
children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs
where children do not have access to the other school meal
programs.
How are sponsors reimbursed for milk?
Milk is provided at a reduced rate to students and the school
is reimbursed at a basic rate per 8 ounces of milk served.
If the sponsor participates in the free milk program, low
income children are eligible to receive free milk for which
the sponsor receives the actual dairy charge of milk and the
basic rate for milk served to all other students.
What are the sponsor’s responsibilities for administering
the program?
Sponsors must ensure that
- There is no physical segregation of or any discrimination
against any child because of race, sex, color, national
origin, age, or handicap in the course of the milk service.
- The same types of milk are made available to everyone,
- A half-pint of fluid milk, flavored or unflavored, whole,
low-fat or skim or buttermilk is offered to eligible children,
- The program is operated as a non-profit milk service,
- Revenue is used for only the operation or improvement
of milk services, and
- All applicable state and federal procurement rules and
regulations for the purchase of goods and services are met.
Sponsors are required to submit monthly claims for reimbursements
for milk actually served to children. Milk served to adults
cannot be claimed for reimbursement.
When participating in the Special Milk program, sponsors
must operate a pricing program or a non-pricing program. In
a pricing program, the reimbursement is used to reduce the
cost of the milk served to children. In a non-pricing program,
children are not charged for milk separately but the cost
of the milk is included in tuition or other school fees. Non-pricing
programs can only be in the paid milk option.
An annual application must be submitted each year in order
to apply for funding. Applications are for the federal fiscal
year, October 1 through September 30.
How can you apply to become a sponsor?
To apply to be a new sponsor in the National School Lunch,
School Breakfast, Special Milk, Illinois Free Breakfast and
Lunch, and Food Distribution Program, click on the link below
to obtain the forms you need to complete for the programs
in which you choose to participate. New applications may be
submitted at any time. Applications are valid from the date
of approval through September 30 each year.
Program
Participation Request Form
Are there any additional application requirements?
Private Non-profit Entities
In addition to the above forms, private non-profit entities
must submit a copy of the tax exempt letter showing status
under the section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Private Residential Child Care Institutions
Private residential child care institutions must submit
a license or a document indicating that a license is not required.
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