Special Milk Program for Vermont

Program Overview

The Special Milk Program (SMP) has been designed to increase the milk consumption of the school going children and to defray the cost of providing milk to children. It is specifically offered to those schools and child care centers that do not participate in the federal meal service program. The program ensures that participating school children get at least half pint milk.

The Special Milk Program assists low-income households to pay their children milk expenses at school in different public and private institutions, boarding schools, non-profit organizations, camps and child care facilities. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the federal level. The program is administered by Vermont Agency of Education in the state.

Program Objectives

The main objective of the program is to make a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet accessible to children from low-income households. The program tries to establish good eating habits in children. The children who are currently enrolled in schools can receive the program’s benefits. The student in split kindergarten or pre-primary class in a school can also apply for the program given the school is listed with the SMP program in the state of Vermont.

The SMP requires specific types of milk for each age group. Flavored, unflavored, low-fat and fat-free milk is served to children between the age 1 to 6 and older. The program helps those kids get the maximum amount of Vitamin A and D in their fluid intake. This helps in the development of strong teeth and bones in the children’s bodies. Participating schools are reimbursed for the milk provided to the children.

Eligibility Requirements

Children who qualify for the Special Milk Program in Vermont receive milk for free or at a reduced price in their schools. The requirements to apply are:

The candidate must be a permanent citizen of the U.S 

The applicant must be a resident of the state of Vermont

The candidate is a parent or caretaker or a primary guardian with kids attending either high school or below

The candidate’s household income must fall under the eligibility condition determined by the program

Any child in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program can get milk. Schools may apply to offer free milk to low-income children. It is important to check with your local agencies to get your hands on accurate and most up-to-date information.

The number of members in a household and total household income is also very important factors while considering a candidate for the Vermont Special Milk Program. The amount of the maximum gross income level before taxes must equate,

In case, the household size is greater than 8 members an additional amount of $8177 is considered per member. The amount of annual income level might change from time to time. Therefore, it is a good step to contact the managing agency in your area. They will be able to provide you with the most recent and up-to-date guidelines about the Vermont Special Milk Program. Individuals who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program also become eligible for the Special Milk Program.

How to Apply

To get your child registered for the Special Milk Program at school, you will have to get in touch with your child’s school office. The school administration that deals with this program will guide you through the whole application process. You can visit Federal agency Child Nutrition Programs website to find the contact information of the Special Milk Program in your area.

It is advisable to apply for the program before the deadline in order to make sure your child is not deprived of the program’s benefits. The benefits provided by the program are effective throughout the school’s academic year.

For Further Information

For information about the SMP please visit Vermont Free and Reduced Meals page. The website provides you with up-to-date information regarding the program to make the application process easy. On the SMP official web page you would get links to forms, eligibility guidelines, reimbursement rates and other important information.

The Vermont Agency of Education looking into the SMP program makes sure that all the applications are accessed properly for the Special Milk Program in the state of Vermont. The agency makes sure to determine the eligibility of the candidates within ten days of submitting the application form. The qualified families are approached about their qualifications once they are selected. You can also contact your local district school to learn more about Vermont SMP.

Or call the Vermont Department of Education-Child Nutrition Programs office at: 802-828-2447

Also Read: Michigan Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)