Special Milk Program

The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, child care institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs. The program reimburses schools and institutions 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.

Schools that choose this option have three choices

1. Sell milk to all students and receive the All-Milk reimbursement rate.
2. Eligibility for Free milk is determined by confidential applications or direct certification. Schools offering this option receive the Free Milk reimbursement (the average price the school pays for each half-pint of milk) served to free-eligible students and the Paid Milk reimbursement for students who must pay for their milk.
3. Offer milk to all students at no cost and receive the All-Milk reimbursement rate.

Confidential Family Applications for Free Milk

2025-2026 Federal Income Guidelines.  (Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines (EIG) do not apply to Special Milk Program sponsors)

• 2025- 2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
  

USDA Prototype Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

• English Version: USDA Prototype Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals   
• Additional Language Versions: USDA Translated Applications including Parent Letter, Instructions, and Household Letter

Letter to Households

• Household Letters in English (USDA Template)
• Additional Languages:  USDA Translated Household Letters
  

Eligibility Notification Documents

• English Version
• Spanish Version

Direct Certification Notification for Free Milk

• English Version
• Spanish Version

Special Milk Program Records

• Worksheet for Milk Purchases

For additional information or questions, contact the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs by Email: ODE School Nutrition or Phone: 503-947-5894.