Special Milk Program

The Special Milk Program (SMP) provides federal reimbursement for milk served to children in schools and child care institutions that do not participate in federal meal programs.

How does it work?
Participating schools and institutions receive reimbursement for each half-pint of fluid milk served. The milk program must be operated on a non-profit basis. The reimbursement must be used to reduce the selling price of milk to the children.

Who may participate?
Any school or non-profit child care institution, including summer camps and temporary shelters, may participate in the SMP provided it does not participate in a meal service program, e.g., The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)Opens In A New Window. Schools that do participate in the NSLP or the SBP may participate in the SMP to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where the children do not have access to either of the school meal programs.

How do children qualify for free milk?
Sponsors of the SMP have the option of offering milk free to qualifying children. Any child from a family that meets income guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Opens In A New Window may receive free milk.

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Budget and Fiscal Management
Division of Food and Nutrition
607 South Drive, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-7698 or 800-331-0129

School Nutrition Program – RA-NSLP@pa.gov