Understanding USDA's Special Milk Program for Schools
The Special Milk Program (SMP) initiated in 1955 provides milk to children in schools, child care institutions, and summer camps not part of other Federal nutrition programs. Eligible schools must be non-profit with tax-exempt status and students cannot have access to other school meal programs. Other requirements include compliance with Civil Rights laws, having a Point of Service system, adopting a Wellness Policy, and securing milk through competition.
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Understanding USDAS Special Milk Program for Schools Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services
The Special Milk Program or SMP . Started in 1955 with the purpose of providing milk to children in schools, child care institutions, and summer camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition programs. The program reimburses sponsors for the milk they serve.
Eligibility Requirements for Schools Must be a recognized school Must operate as a non profit program with tax exempt status 501(c)(3) Participating students cannot have access to school breakfast or lunch programs
In other words. Schools who participate in the school meals programs may claim half-day students under the SMP only if those students do not have access to other school meals Schools who do not participate in other school meals programs may claim all milk consumed by children under the SMP
Other requirements Participating schools must comply with Civil Rights laws Participating schools must have an adequate Point of Service (POS) counting system Participating schools must develop and adopt a school Wellness Policy Participating schools must secure milk supplies through open and free competition
Civil Rights May not restrict enrollment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability And Justice For All Posters
Point of Service (POS) Milks must be counted and documented at the time the child receives it Must provide protection from overt identification May include more than one milk per child May not include adult milks or milks used for cooking, class projects etc.
Wellness Policy Required under USDA s Reauthorization of the child nutrition programs 2004 Developed by a wellness committee Needs to address the total school environment Intended to be a working document with changes and revisions adopted as needed
SMP options Pricing plan Pricing plan with free milk option Non-pricing Plan
Pricing Plan Milk is sold to all children with the reimbursement utilized to keep the cost to students low pint price should reflect difference between federal reimbursements and cost to operate the program
For example The reimbursement rate for the 2019-2020 school year is .2150 per half pint. If the dairy cost for your school is .27 cents per pint and administrative/supply costs to operate the SMP are .05 cents per half pint, the cost to children for milk should be approximately $0.10 cents per pint of milk. Dairy Cost .27 (per pint) Admin/supply + .05 Program cost .32 Less reimbursement - .2150 Student cost for milk .10
Pricing Plan with the Free Milk Option Schools may opt to provide milk at no charge to students who qualify for free milk benefits Schools are reimbursed at the normal reimbursement rate for children who pay and at the net dairy cost for children who qualify for free milk benefits
Free Milk Option Requirements Public release statement - The public notification requirement for the SMP is completed by NDE Applications for free milk Protection from overt identification https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/nslp/special-milk-program/
Public Release Submitted each year Community publication Are not required to pay to have it published Grassroots distribution Community sites Libraries, food pantries, WIC offices
Applications for Free Milk Must be completed by parent and determined by school official All Materials may be downloaded at: https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms-resources/national-school-lunch- program/application-income-eligibility/
Protection from overt identification Must provide a payment option that does not overtly identify students who are receiving free milk Must provide daily accountability of milk consumption utilizing a method that does not overtly identify students receiving free milk
Non-Pricing Plan Children are not charged for milk (The cost may be covered through tuition or boarding fees) Reimbursement is based on current year s federal reimbursement rate
Special Milk Program Application In order to participate in the Special Milk Program, schools must complete an on-line program application in the CNP website and update it each year. https://nutrition.education.ne.gov/
Recordkeeping Requirements Daily participation records Financial accountability Annual Financial Statement due July 15 Monthly Claims Purchasing Civil Rights Disabilities Temperature Logs Sanitation Must retain all required documents for 3 years plus the current school year
Daily Participation Records Teacher checklist/student roster Must provide accurate and acceptable Point of Service (POS) count May not be based on dairy invoices, paid milk receipts, or attendance lists
Financial Accountability All funds must be used to support SMP Fund balance cannot exceed 3 months operating costs Funds must be shown as separate line or ledger item in bookkeeping system Excess funds may not be transferred to general fund
Monthly Claims Submitted online at: https://nutrition.education.ne.gov/ Must be submitted within 60 calendar days of claim month Must be submitted from accurate and acceptable POS system
Purchasing requirements Must practice free and open competition Three Bids and a Buy Price quotes and bids must be documented
Civil Rights: Children with Disabilities If a child has a documented disability as determined by a licensed physician schools must provide a substitute beverage as prescribed by the physician without additional cost to the student If a child has a milk intolerance schools may provide lactose free milk or a milk substitute. If the school chooses to provide a milk substitute the school must ensure that it is nutritionally equivalent to cow s milk. A list is provided on NS website. Physician s Form and more info on Special Dietary Needs: https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms-resources/national-school- lunch-program/special-diets-2/
Temperature Logs Must keep a daily temperature log for any refrigerator or cooler that is used for the Special Milk Program Must keep on file for 1 year plus the current school year. Prototype Log: http://www.education.ne.gov/ns/NSLP/HACCP/TempLogs/Refrig.pdf
Sanitation SMP only schools must provide milk storage facilities to ensure that milk is kept in a sanitary and temperature safe environment Schools who also participate in NSLP are required to have at least 2 sanitation inspections each year. The results of the inspections must be posted in a public area.
Other things schools need to know about the SMP Schools are subject to an on site review All SMP materials including the online application, are available on the NS website And Justice for All posters are available by contacting NDE - Nutrition Services
If you have more questions. You can contact: Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services (800) 731-2233
