What You Need To Know?

The New York’s Special milk program is a federally administered program, which serves half-pint of milk to children enrolled in schools, child care institution or child care camps that are not included in other government funded subsidized meal programs. The federally funded program compensates the schools and institutions for the milk they provide to children. Schools that are already enrolled in National School Lunch and Breakfast program may also avail the subsidy for their kinder garden and pre-kinder garden children that are unable to avail the subsidized meal programs.

Administration

At the federal level the New York Special Milk Program (SMP) is run by United States Department of Food and Nutrition Service (USDFNS) whereas State education agencies and School corporations mutually carry out the Special Milk Program locally.

Nutritional Requirements of Milk distributed by The New York Special Milk program (SMP)

The milk institutes and schools provide to the children must meet the quality criteria set up by local and state department .Only pasteurized fluid types of milk either fat free or low fat should be distributed .They must contain the essential nutrients such as Vitamin D, Calcium to enrich the students with essential nutrients required for their wellbeing and growth.

Are You Eligible?

The eligibility criteria for enrolling your child in New York Special milk program are very simple. Any child may participate in this program via his/her school. Schools may elect to offer free milk to low-income children. In order to participate in the New York Special milk program, you must be resident of New York.

The Program is designed specifically to assist those in most need hence, in order to qualify for the program. Always make sure to confirm with the appropriate managing agencies for most accurate income guidelines

How To Apply?

The enrollment process in Special Milk program is extremely convenient. In order to enroll your child in the New York’s Special Milk program (SMP), you may directly contact your child’s school to find if it participates in the program. Parent may even inquire other child care institutions and camps to know whether they participate in the program. Each child’s family must apply annually for free milk eligibility.

For Further Information?

The New York Special Milk Program (SMP) is controlled by The Federal agency Child Nutrition Programs and states related information here:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm

Your State’s Education Agency may also provide you further information about the program here: http://www.nysed.gov/

To learn more about the New York Special Milk Program (SMP) or connect with the the SMP administrating department, kindly contact the Child Nutrition Program-Administration office at:
518-473-8781 (Toll-free)

You can also contact your local school district if you have additional questions about New York SMP.