School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children (SMI)
In 1995, USDA established a final rule which amended the regulations governing the nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast
Programs. The rule required that school meals meet certain minimum standards for calories and other nutrients in order to improve the nutritional quality of school
lunches and breakfasts. The School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children (SMI) was implemented and to assist schools in meeting requirements of this rule.
SMI nutrition standards require school meals to:
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Contain less than 30 percent calories from fat and 10 percent calories from saturated fat over the course of a week;
Breakfasts must provide at least one-fourth of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and lunches must provide one-third RDA for protein,
iron, calcium and vitamins A and C.
Comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for children over the age of two;
Include decreased levels of sodium and cholesterol; and
Include increased amounts of dietary fiber.
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SMI guidelines also require that menus, recipes, food product descriptions, and production records be maintained to show that adequate food items, or menu
items are offered each given day, and that nutrition standards are met for specific age/grade groupings when averaged over each school week (a school week is
defined as a minimum of three consecutive days and a maximum of seven consecutive days). Through SMI meals are evaluated on their total nutrient
composition, rather than food components.
State nutrition officials conduct SMI audits at least once every three to five years in accordance with the Coordinated Review Effort (CRE). Since the
implementation of SMI, schools have taken strides to improve quality of meals served. The number one goal of the school meal program is to ensure the health
and well being of the District's children.
Special Milk Program (SMP)
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What is the Special Milk Program?
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
Which schools and institutions can participate?
What is involved in operating a Special Milk Program?
What type of milk must be offered and what are the nutritional requirements for the milk program?
How do children qualify for free milk?
How much do institutions get reimbursed?
How can we get assistance?
Whom do we contact?
What are the participating SMP schools for 2007-2008?*
What is the Special Milk Program?
The Special Milk Program provides financial reimbursement to schools and institutions for serving milk to children at reasonable prices.
Through the SMP, schools, child care institutions and eligible camps serve milk to children that do not participate in other Federal child
nutrition meal service programs. During School Year 2005-2006, four schools participated in the Special Milk Program in the District of
Columbia and nearly 87,000 cartons of milk were provided to children.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
The Special Milk Program provides a nutritious beverage, rich in calcium and vitamins A and D, which aids in the development of strong
bones and teeth. The program provides parents a low-cost, convenient method of ensuring that their children receive a healthy and delicious
beverage when they are away from home. Schools benefit by helping their students take at least one step in a direction that can enhance
academic performance--good nutrition.
Which schools and institutions can participate?
Institutions that do not participate in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child Care Food Program, or Summer
Food Service Program for Children are eligible to participate in the Special Milk Program. This includes public and private nonprofit schools,
licensed residential child care institutions (e.g., group homes, juvenile halls, orphanages), nursery schools, child care centers, settlement houses
and summer camps. An exception is made for those private nonprofit institutions that participate in the above mentioned child nutrition
programs, but have half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs. In
this situation, the institution may participate in the Special Milk Program, and milk served in the half-day kindergarten program may be
claimed for reimbursement.
What is involved in operating a Special Milk Program?
Participating schools and institutions receive reimbursement from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each half-pint of milk served.
They must operate their milk programs on a non-profit basis. Two different methods may be used when charging for milk:
1. The price charged for milk may be included in the tuition or camping fee so that all children automatically receive milk. This is called a
"non-pricing" program.
2. There can be a separate charge for milk, so that the purchase of milk is optional. This is called a "pricing" program. If there is a separate
charge for milk (a pricing program), the agency may choose to provide milk at no charge to children who qualify for free milk,
according to specific family size and income standards.
The institution must keep records that document that the milk program follows all federal and state rules and regulations. Some of the records
that must be kept are:
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The number of half-pints of milk served each day, by site, and if applicable, by category (free milk and purchased milk).
Applications for free milk submitted by the families, by site, if milk is provided at no charge to eligible children.
Inventory records which document the amounts and types of milk used.
Records of income, expenditures, and contributions received.
What type of milk must be offered and what are the nutritional requirements for the milk program?
Schools or institutions may choose pasteurized fluid types of unflavored or flavored whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk and cultured
buttermilk that meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. All milk should contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the
FDA.
How do children qualify for free milk?
When an institution offers free milk under the program to low-income children, any child from a family that meets specified income criteria for
free meals is eligible. Eligibility determinations are made by an official at each institution and are based on family size and income information
provided on an application submitted by a parent or guardian. Income eligibility guidelines* are derived from the federal poverty guidelines
and are updated annually. Each child's family must apply annually for free milk eligibility.
How much do institutions get reimbursed?
The Special Milk Program is operated on a reimbursement basis, with agencies paid based on the number of half-pints of milk served. The
reimbursement rate for each half-pint of milk sold to children in School Year 2006-2007 is 14.5 cents. The amount of reimbursement for milk
that is provided free of charge to eligible children, is equal to the average cost paid by the institution for each half-pint of milk.
How can we get assistance?
Nutrtion Services program specialists are available to provide schools with free technical assistance on how to operate a Special Milk Program.
Whom do we contact?
For information on the Special Milk Program, contact the District of Columbia, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Nutrition
Services Department, 441 4th Street NW, Suite 350N, Washington, DC, 20001; (202) 727-6436.
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School Breakfast Program (SBP)
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What is the School Breakfast Program?
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
Which schools and institutions can participate?
What is involved in operating a School Breakfast Program?
What are the nutritional requirements for school breakfasts?
Who is eligible for free and reduced-price breakfasts?
How much do schools get reimbursed?
How can we get assistance?
Whom do we contact?
What is the School Breakfast Program?
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to children each school day. Federal reimbursement
is available for all breakfast meals served to students. It began as a pilot project in 1966 to improve the nutrition and dietary practices of children in
low-income areas. In 1975, the School Breakfast Program was made available to any school that wanted to participate. It now serves students from
all socioeconomic levels.
Students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches in the National School Lunch Program may also receive free and reduced-price breakfasts.
During School Year 2005-2006, 55 School Food Authorities served approximately 3.3 million breakfast meals to children in the District of
Columbia.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
There are many reasons to start a School Breakfast Program, such as the development of good, healthful eating habits for school children. Family and
community life has changed, and many children do not have the opportunity to eat breakfast on a regular basis. If children do eat at home, they are
often left to provide for themselves and breakfasts are often of poor nutritional value or skipped entirely. Children arriving to class without having
breakfast are hungry, and hungry children cannot learn. They will continue to be hungry until lunchtime, or they may eat less nutritious food to stave
off hunger pangs. Studies show that breakfast increases student attention, improves behavior, reduces trips to the nurse's office and improves test
scores. Parents, teachers, and administrators appreciate the positive effects on their students. Breakfast is a vital element of a productive and
successful educational day. In addition, those schools that have a National School Lunch Program make more efficient use of their food service
department by also operating a School Breakfast Program.
Which schools and institutions can participate?
Institutions that are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program may also participate in the School Breakfast Program. Such
institutions include: public and private nonprofit schools, and public and private nonprofit licensed residential child care institutions (e.g., group
homes, juvenile halls, and orphanages).
What is involved in operating a School Breakfast Program?
The School Breakfast Program operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program. Generally the breakfast program must be open to
all enrolled children without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Free or reduced-price meals must be provided to children
who qualify for such benefits according to specified family size and income standards. Such students must not be identified nor discriminated against
in any manner. Breakfasts must be served that meet the nutritional standards established by USDA. Records must be kept to document that the
breakfast program follows all federal and state rules and regulations and operate the food service on a nonprofit basis. Some of the records that must
be kept are:
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Meal production records and inventory records that document the amounts and types of food used.
The number of breakfasts served each day, by site and by category (free, reduced-price and full-price).
Applications submitted by families for free and reduced price meals, by site, and a description of the follow-up actions taken to verify
eligibility.
Records of income, expenditure and contributions received.
What are the nutritional requirements for school breakfasts?
Meals are planned to include foods from the Food Guide Pyramid such as, fluid milk (e.g., whole, low fat & skim), meat/meat alternative (e.g., egg,
cheese, peanut butter or other nut butters), fruits and/or vegetables and whole grain bread/ bread alternative (e.g., rolls, muffins).
In 1995, USDA implemented the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children (SMI) which established standards for school breakfasts to provide
one-fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.
Though school lunches must meet federal meal pattern or nutrient requirements*, local school food authorities can decide on what specific foods to
serve and how they are prepared. Creativity is the key to ensure that breakfasts are appealing and wholesome.
Who is eligible for free and reduced-price breakfasts?
Students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches in the National School Lunch Program may also receive free and reduced-price breakfasts.
Children from families meeting specified income criteria receive breakfasts either free or at a reduced-price. Eligibility determinations are made by
an official at each school and are based on family size and income information provided on an application submitted by a parent or guardian. Income
eligibility guidelines* are derived from the federal poverty guidelines and are updated annually.
How much do schools get reimbursed?
The School Breakfast Program is operated on a reimbursement basis, with schools paid on the number of meals served. The current (July 1, 2006
through June 30, 2007) basic cash reimbursement rates are:
Meal
Free breakfast
Reimbursement
$1.31
Reduced-price breakfast
$1.01
Paid breakfast
$0.24
How can we get assistance?
Nutrition Services program specialists are available to provide schools with free technical assistance on how to operate a School Breakfast Program.
Training is available on such topics as menu planning, proper food storage and preparation, record keeping and reporting, and clarifying federal and
local regulations.
Whom do we contact?
For information on the School Breakfast Program, contact the District of Columbia, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Nutrition
Services Department, 441 4th Street NW, Suite 350N, Washington, DC, 20001; (202) 727-6436.
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