Special Milk and Wisconsin School Day Milk Programs Compared

Federal Special Milk Program		Wisconsin School Day Milk Program
(Half-day session students)		(Grades PreK-5)

1. A federally funded program, to participate is a local decision.		1. A state-funded program, participation is a local decision.

2. Available only to half-day session kindergarten and prekindergarten children when the school agency participates in the federal Lunch or Breakfast Program and then only if those children do not have access to the lunch or breakfast program offered.		2. Available only to children qualified for free or reduced-price meals in grades prekindergarten through five. Children participating in the federal Special Milk Program are not eligible (double subsidy not allowed).Milk served during the school's breakfast or lunch periods may not be claimed.

3. Reimbursement may be claimed for all half-day session kindergarten and prekindergarten children who participate.		3. Reimbursement may be claimed only for children from families eligible under the federal family size income levels for free or reduced price meals. One half pint of milk per school day must be offered.

4. School authorities have the option to provide free milk to students from families meeting the federally established family size income levels for a free meal and assess a charge to all other students, or they may provide milk free of charge to all the half-day kindergarten and prekindergarten students, or they may assess an equal charge to all half-day kindergarten and prekindergarten students.		4. School authorities must offer free milk to students from families meeting the federally established family size income levels for a free or reduced meal. They may assess a charge to all other students. The School authority may offer free milk to all students, but may only claim for reimbursement for the milk served to the free and reduced eligible students.

5. Any type of milk meeting state standards may be offered.		5. Wisconsin-produced whole, 2%, 1.4% 1%, 0.4% or skim milk meeting state standards may be offered.

6. All milk consumed by the half-day students is reimbursable. If the school authorities opt to provide milk free to students eligible for a free meal, it is reimbursed at the net dairy cost. All other milk is reimbursed at the federally established rate.		6. One half-pint of milk per day provided to children from families eligible for free or reduced price meals is reimbursed at the full cost of beverages served. If insufficient money has been appropriated to cover all claims, funds are prorated among participating school agencies.

7. Reimbursements are claimed on-line at: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/index.html and paid monthly.		7. Reimbursement payments are paid after the school year in which the milk was served. One claim for payment is to be filed on-line at: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/index.html by August 31, following the year for which the claim applies. A lump sum payment will be made to the participating school agencies in the following school year (target month is September).

8. Anonymity of the children receiving free milk must be protected.		8. Anonymity of the children receiving free milk must be protected.

9. A child with a disability and whose disability restricts his or her diet must be provided substitutions for milk. The substitution must be supported by a statement signed by a licensed physician to meet the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nondiscrimination regulations (7CFR 15b).		9. If a child is allergic to milk or has metabolic disorders or other conditions which prohibit him or her from drinking milk, the child shall be offered juice as a substitute when supported by a physician's statement.

For questions about this information, contact Julie A. Cox (608) 267-9206

Last updated on 4/11/2008 9:12:25 AM

Special Milk and Wisconsin School Day Milk Programs Compared

Federal Special Milk Program

Wisconsin School Day Milk Program

Special Milk and Wisconsin School Day Milk
Programs Compared