Program Overview
The Special Milk Program for Utah is a federal program, designed to increase the milk consumption of the school going children. It is specifically offered to those schools and child care centers that do not participate in the federal meal service program. Participating schools are reimbursed for the milk provided to the children. The program assists low-income households to pay their children milk expenses at school in different public and private institutions. 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.
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. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the federal level. The program is administered by the Utah State Board of Education. However, different school food authorities have different conditions regarding the type of food to serve and how to serve them.
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 Utah.
The SMP requires specific types of milk for each age group.
- Age 1: Unflavored whole milk
- Ages 2-5: Unflavored low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk
- Ages 6 and older: Low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk (unflavored or flavored)
Eligibility Requirements
Children who qualify for the Special Milk Program in Utah 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 Utah
- 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
The above requirements are specified by the federal government and may vary from state to state. Hence, 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 Utah Special Milk Program. The amount of the maximum gross income level before taxes must equate,
| Size Of Household | Maximum Annual Income Level ($) |
| 1 | 23,107 |
| 2 | 31,284 |
| 3 | 39,461 |
| 4 | 47,638 |
| 5 | 55,815 |
| 6 | 63,992 |
| 7 | 72,169 |
| 8 | 80,346 |
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 Utah 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 Utah State Board of Education website to find the contact information of the Special Milk Program in your area.
In case you have other queries you can also call at (801) 538-7500
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
You can also visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Milk Program page to find more about the program. The website provides you with up-to-date information regarding the program to make the application process less daunting. You can use the same procedure if you want to reduce the prices of milk at your child’s school.
The agency looking into the SMP program makes sure that all the applications are accessed properly for the Special Milk Program in the state of Utah. 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 school district to learn more about Utah SMP.