Program Description
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, childcare institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, can participate in the Special Milk Program for half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children who do not have access to a school meals program. The program reimburses schools and institutions for the milk they serve. In 2001, nearly 7,000 schools and residential childcare institutions participated, along with 1,300 summer camps and 562 non-residential childcare institutions.
General Program Requirements
Any child in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program can get milk. Schools may elect to offer free milk to low-income children. In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Maine, your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $20,036 if one person lives in the household; $26,955 if two people live in the household; $33,874 if three people live in the household; $40,793 if four people live in the household; $47,712 if five people live in the household; $54,631 if six people live in the household; $61,550 if seven people live in the household; and $68,469 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $6,919 for each additional person in the home.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
To apply for the Special Milk program, directly contact your child's school, camp, or child care institution to find out if it participates in the Special Milk Program.
The Federal agency Child Nutrition Programs manages this program and provides state contact information here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm
Additionally, your state education agency can also provide you with more information about the program:
http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/milk.html
Program Contact Information
You also may call the Child Nutrition Services office to speak with
a customer service representative about the Maine Special Milk program
at:
207-624-6842
