Special Milk Program
The Special Milk Program is one of the federal child nutrition programs. It is available to schools that do not participate in any of the National School Lunch programs (school breakfast, school lunch, or after school snack) through NDS or directly with PA Department of Education. The only exception belongs to kindergarten students in schools that have a split session kindergarten with no lunch period.
Program Description
Nutritional Development Services can provide a half-pint of milk to every child at your school who wishes to buy it for $0.10. NDS buys milk (except the lactose-reduced) from the local Wawa Dairy. The Special Milk program is offered to all students from pre-K to eighth grade.
Price
The Special Milk Program price is $.10 for a half-pint. In cases where the price of raw milk drops significantly, an adjustment will be made. Second servings or milk used for any other reason is $0.40 each. Adults may purchase milk for $0.40, as well.
Participation
Schools that are interested in offering the Special Milk Program to their students need to contact NDS and schedule a one-time training. A minimum of 50 children ordering milk per day is required.
Schools that participate in the National School Lunch, Breakfast, or After-School Snack programs are not eligible for this program. (The only exception belongs to kindergarten students in schools that have a split session kindergarten with no lunch period.) For these schools, milk is offered at every lunch and breakfast and is commonly found on the snack menu. Any milk sales at these schools would be considered a la carte and would cost $0.40 for each half-pint for anyone (student, teacher, staff) who wished to buy it.
Interested in offering this program at your school? Contact us
Operational Details
Ordering
At the beginning of each school-year, a contact person from your school needs to call-in an initial standing order to NDS. The type & quantity of milk will be delivered unless a change is called in. Changes should be called-in when your school will be closed or when the milk will not be offered for some reason. Ideally, changes should be called-in on Monday one full week before the date of the change. The last possible time to call-in a change is 48 hours before the delivery. The best policy is to order one milk per child per day & adjust for inventory.
Delivery
Deliveries are generally made every other school day. In a few cases, schools receive once a week delivery. A driver will bring your delivery into your school & place it in the milk cooler. If possible, please count you order upon receipt to see if you have received what you have ordered. If a shortage or any other problem occurs, please contact NDS as soon as possible on that day.
Equipment
NDS can supply your school with a milk cooler for the duration of the program at no cost. It remains the property of NDS & NDS will maintain it.
Reporting
Reporting is required by federal regulations. Your monthly figures are submitted by NDS to the state government as the basis for our reimbursement. This reimbursement, in turn, is used to pay for the milk delivered to your school. Your monthly reports are due at the NDS office by the 5th of each month. For bookkeeping purposes, make a copy of the report for your own records. Instructions are printed on the back of each monthly report. Every carton of milk has to be accounted for on the report as either served to children and/or adults or as "unable to be served" which is known as a loss. NDS does not receive reimbursement for "losses" so we expect schools to be proactive in preventing them.
Collection of Money
Money collected from the children should be put aside & sent to NDS with each monthly report. NDS will match the deliveries with the report & the check. Checks or money orders from your school should be made payable to NDS.
Milk Options, Unflavored
2% White
This variety has as much calcium and vitamin D as whole - but less fat. It is a great choice for those who are used to drinking whole but are not ready for the taste of 1% or skim.
1% White:
This variety is a better choice than 2% and is a good stepping stone towards drinking skim
Skim White:
The best choice for those who want all the health benefits of milk but not the extra fat
Skim Lactose Reduced White
Students who are sensitive to milk proteins can enjoy milk's great taste and health benefits by drinking lactose reduced milk.
Milk Options, Flavored
1% Chocolate
With all the same health benefits of regular milk, this flavor is the most popular with students.
1% Strawberry
In some schools this flavor has become more popular than chocolate!
Nutrition Information
Flavored Milk
After years of studies, parents and teachers are glad to hear that the concerns they once held for flavored milks (mainly that they make children hyperactive) are dispelled. Ounce for ounce flavored milks have less caffeine and sugar than soda and many other foods and drinks that children eat regularly. Using these varieties is a great way to entice children who are reluctant to drink milk!
Whole Milk
Whole white is still popular in our culture but it is not nutritionally required after 2 years of age. Children over 2 should be encouraged to switch to a lower fat variety because of the high amount of saturated fat found in whole milk. Based on these facts, NDS does not offer this whole milk to school-aged children.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is the sugar found naturally in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance refers to digestive disturbances cause by not having enough of the enzyme, lactase, which breaks down lactose. This condition is not the same as a milk allergy, which is very uncommon, occurring in only 1-3% of children, most of whom outgrow the allergy by age 3. If you are lactose intolerant it is recommended that you try consuming smaller amounts to see what your 'threshold' is for digesting lactose. It is not usually necessary nor nutritionally wise to consume a lactose-free diet. Most people with lactose intolerance can consume up to 2 cups of milk per day, without experiencing symptoms. It is suggested that milk or other milk products are consumed with a meal or snack. Also, yogurt and hard cheeses are a good choice because they have as much calcium but less lactose than softer cheeses and milk
Healthy Choices
Nutritional Development Services is deeply committed to the nutritional health of children. We encourage schools to use the milk served as a means of teaching healthy eating. We are glad to assist schools in this effort & any efforts that promote healthy food choices & reduce the consumption of soda & other non-nutritive drinks. We encourage schools to create policies that restrict these drinks. Please feel free to call the office if you need or want assistance with nutrition education or any effort to create a healthy nutrition school environment.
Other Information
NDS is a sponsor of this federal program that is run by NDS under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Sites have the option to be their own sponsor and can contract directly with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information about direct sponsorship see the PDE website.
For more information about this federal program, visit the USDA website.
Home