Special Milk Program

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Special Milk Program (SMP)

Overview

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The SMP provides reimbursement for milk served to children in schools, child care institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs. Schools in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) 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 USDA's school meal programs.

Pricing Options

SMP sponsors are reimbursed for milk served to students in half-pint increments. There is no federal requirement to offer milk at no charge. Pricing is based on the option selected by the sponsor. The three different pricing options include pricing with free milk option, pricing (without free milk option), and non-pricing.

Pricing program with free milk option: Milk is provided without charge to children eligible for free milk. Children who are not eligible for free milk pay the established price. There is no reduced claiming category.
Pricing program: All children are charged the same price. Milk is not provided without charge to children eligible for free milk. All milk is claimed in the paid category.
Non-pricing program: All children are provided milk without charge, or milk is included in tuition or boarding fees, or paid for by private donation or endowment. All milk is claimed in the paid category.

Allowable Types of Milk

The SMP requires specific types of milk for each age group.

Age 1: Whole milk, unflavored
Ages 2-5: Low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk, unflavored
Ages 6 and older: Low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk, either unflavored or flavored

Milk must meet all state and local standards, and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Resources

Comparison of Meal Pattern Requirements for the Milk Component in School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
CSDE Operational Memorandum 06-19: Summary of Federal and State Milk Requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP, Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) of the NSLP, and Special Milk Program (SMP)
SMP Fact Sheet (USDA)

Quick Links

Nondiscrimination Statements (USDA and CSDE)