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    School Nutrition > Programs > Milk > Milk



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Milk

​​​​​​Special Milk Program

BoTateESMilkThe Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other Federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve; however, milk served to adults is not eligible for reimbursement.

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.

What type of milk must be offered? Allowable milk options include Fat-free (unflavored or flavored), low fat (1%) (unflavored or flavored), Fat free or low fat (lactose-reduced or lactose-free). All milk should contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the Food and Drug Administration and be consistent with state and local standards for such milk. 

What type of Special Milk Program can we operate? The milk program must be open to all enrolled children. Milk may be either pricing or non-pricing​.

There are three options:

  1. Pricing Program with Free Option
    Milk is free to eligible children and is sold to other children at a reduced price. A standard rate of reimbursement is provided for the milk sold to paying children, and an average of the actual price paid for the milk is reimbursed for the milk provided for non- paying children.
    This option requires eligibility documentation.
  2. Pricing Program without Free Option
    Milk is sold to all children at a reduced price, such as the actual price of the milk minus the amount of the USDA reimbursement. This option does not require eligibility documentation.
  3. Non-pricing Program. Milk is served free to all participating children. Milk is reimbursed at a standard rate for each half-pint of milk served. This option does not require eligibility documentation.

Under the terms of the Annual Agreement, each SMP sponsor agrees to:

  • Complete the online agreement and submit the signature pages and other requested documentation in a timely manner.
  • Operate a non-profit milk service
  • Provide milk to all children without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability
  • Comply with financial requirements and provisions
  • Record the number of half-pints of milk served each day by site and by category
    (free milk and purchased milk)
  • Purchase milk through competitive bidding methods that ensure free and open competition
  • Ensure adequate quantities of milk are available. Milk may be purchased in bulk, but it is claimed in half pints. There is no limit on half pints per child per day. Therefore, you can serve milk in quantities suitable for the child’s age, but only claim the number of half pints served total. Your milk count system must provide accurate counts of reimbursable milk served to eligible children
  • Keep on file all applications submitted by the households for free milk (if electing to provide the pricing program with free option)
  • Maintain all records for a period of five years after the end of the fiscal year to which they pertain and comply with record keeping requirements

How Do We Get Reimbursed?

The GADOE School Nutrition Division will reimburse you for milk that is served to eligible enrolled children in attendance. You may claim reimbursement for milk served beginning with the approval date of your Annual Agreement. At each milk service, make an actual count of the enrolled children who are present and the number of half-pints of milk served to them. Record the number of enrolled children who are present who are eligible for paid or free milk. This data determines the reimbursement that you will receive each month. The USDA issues new reimbursement rates each July. Reimbursement must not exceed the cost of the milk.

Additional Resources:

If you would like further information about reimbursements, program regulations, menu planning, and more for the Special Milk Program, go to

https://www.fns.usda.gov/smp/special-milk-program   OR

https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1450   OR

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr215_main_02.tpl

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