An offshoot of the National Lunch Program, the Special Milk program gives servings of free milk to students in schools, camps, and child care institutions that have no other federal Child Nutrition Program. Started in 1955, the Special Milk Program is helmed in the federal level by the Department of Agriculture through its Food and Nutrition Service.

Participating schools and other learning and educational agencies serve free milk on a daily basis. The milk must not be used as a part of any profiteering activity. However, children who can afford to buy milk are charged in accordance to the school’s guidelines. The Department of Agriculture compensates the expenses of participating schools for their free milk campaign. Generally, the reimbursement is based on every half-pint.

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