Authorized by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, this program provides milk free of charge or at a low cost to children in schools and childcare institutions that do not participate in other federal child nutrition meal service programs. Schools are reimbursed 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.