What is the SMP?
The Special Milk Program (SMP) provides milk to children in schools and child care institutions who do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program reimburses sponsors for the milk they serve.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs also may 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.
Begun in 1955, the Special Milk Program is administered at the Federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Food and Consumer Service (FCS).
Join the Non-School SMP
Please contact: Shiela.Coulton@dpi.wi.gov
Helpful Information
Non-School Special Milk Program Information Sheet
Requirements for the USDA Non-School Special Milk Program
FFY 2021/2022 SMP reimbursement rate is $0.2200 / half pint (through 06/30/2022)
Fluid milk served in the Special Milk Program must be consistent with the most recent version of the Dietary Guidelines.
-
- One year old children must be served unflavored whole milk;
- Children two years old and older must be served low-fat or fat-free and allowed the substitution of non-dairy beverages that are nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk for children with special dietary needs;
- Flavored milk, including flavored non-dairy beverages, cannot be served to children one through five years old; and
- Flavored milk served to children six years old and older must be fat-free (skim).
- One year old children must be served unflavored whole milk;
Reimbursable milks for children two years old and older include low-fat or fat-free milk, low-fat or fat-free lactose reduced milk, low-fat or fat-free lactose free milk, low-fat or fat-free buttermilk, or low-fat or fat-free acidified milk. Milk must be pasteurized fluid milk that meets State and local standards.