Frequently Asked Questions
Special Milk Program
- What is the Special Milk Program?
- Who may participate?
- Who is eligible for free milk?
- How does the Special Milk Program operate?
- What is the Federal reimbursement?
- What types of milk can be offered?
- How much milk is served annually in the Special Milk Program?
- How many institutions participate in the Special Milk Program?
- How much does the program cost?
1. What is the Special Milk Program?
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, child care institutions and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.
2. Who may participate?
Any child at a participating school, kindergarten program or eligible camp can get milk through the Special Milk Program. Children may buy milk or receive it free, depending on the school's choice of program options.
3. Who is eligible for free milk?
When local school officials offer free milk under the program, any child from a family that meets income guidelines for free meals is eligible. Each child's family must apply annually for free milk eligibility.
4. How does the Special Milk Program operate?
Participating schools and institutions receive reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each half pint of milk served. They must operate their milk programs on a non-profit basis. They agree to use the Federal reimbursement to reduce the selling price of milk to all children.
5. What is the Federal reimbursement?
The Federal reimbursement for each half-pint of milk sold to children in School Year 2001-2002 is 14.5 cents. For children who receive their milk free, the USDA reimburses schools the net purchase price of the milk.
6. What types of milk can be offered?
Schools or institutions may choose pasteurized fluid types of unflavored or flavored whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk, and cultured buttermilk that meet State and local standards. All milk should contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the Food and Drug Administration.
7. How much milk is served annually in the Special Milk Program?
In 2000, nearly 120 million half pints of milk were served through the Special Milk Program. Expansion of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which include milk, has led to a substantial reduction in the Special Milk Program since its peak in the late 1960's. The program served nearly 3 billion half pints of milk in 1969; 1.8 billion in 1980; and 181 million in 1990.
8. How many institutions participate in the Special Milk Program?
In 2000, nearly 7,000 schools and residential child care institutions participated, along with 1,100 summer camps and 500 non-residential child care institutions.
9. How much does the program cost?
Congress appropriated $15.8 million for the Special Milk Program in Fiscal Year 2001, down from $17.16 million in FY 2000. By comparison, the program cost $101.2 million in 1970; $145.2 million in 1980; and $19.2 million in 1990.
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