Special Milk Program for Children
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To provide subsidies to schools and institutions to encourage the consumption of fluid milk by children.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- School District
- Nonprofit Organization
The State, including the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territory as applicable, administers this program. Public and nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, and public and private nonprofit residential and nonresidential child care institutions, except Job Corps centers, may participate in this program upon request if they do not participate in a meal service program authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. This generally includes nonprofit nursery schools, child care centers, settlement houses and summer camps. Schools with split session kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs can receive subsidies for milk served to children in the split session kindergartens and pre-kindergartens that do not have access to another meal service program operating in the school. All schools and child care institutions that participate must agree to operate this program on a nonprofit basis for all children without regard to race, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), color, national origin, age or disability.
Beneficiaries
- Teen (13–19)
- Pre-Teen (10–12)
- Young Child (4–9)
- Infant and Toddler (0–3)
All children enrolled in participating schools and institutions who do not have access to other Child Nutrition Programs, may participate in this program.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
All participating entities do so vis a federal state agreement.
Award Procedure
The State agency reviews the written application of the school or child care institution and, upon determination of eligibility, makes a written agreement for participation in this program.
Agreements are effective upon approval of the State Agency.
Program details & compliance
Description
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 and institutions 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. To learn more, visit the SMP webpage: https://www.fns.usda.gov/smp/special-milk-program
Mission Categories
Primary: Food and Nutrition for Children
Other categories:
Food Security
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds are made available to State agencies to encourage the consumption of fluid milk by children in public and private, nonprofit schools of high school grade and under, public and private, nonprofit nursery schools, child care centers, settlement houses, summer camps, and similar nonprofit institutions devoted to the care and training of children, except Job Corps centers, provided that these schools and institutions do not participate in a meal service program authorized under the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. The Child Nutrition Amendments of 1986 expanded eligibility to include children in split session kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs in nonprofit schools and institutions that do not have access to the Federal meal service program operating in schools the children attend. Disbursement to States is made on the basis of the number of half-pints of milk served to non-needy children, using a reimbursement rate specified by law. Milk served free to eligible needy children is reimbursed at the average cost of a half-pint of milk. Please refer to regulations: 7 CFR Part 215 -- Special Milk Program; 7 CFR Part 235 -- State Administrative Expense; 7 CFR Part 245 -- Free and Reduced Price Eligibility.
Required Documentation
Applicant organizations must furnish evidence of nonprofit status. Costs will be determined in accordance with USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025