Milk Donation Reimbursement Program

Under this program, eligible dairy organizations partner with non-profit organizations that distribute food to low-income individuals. Those partnerships may apply for and receive limited reimbursements to cover expenses related to certain fluid milk product donations.

In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress directed USDA to develop the program to reduce food waste and provide nutrition assistance to low-income individuals. Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter.

Interested partnerships must apply for program participation by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form and Eligible Distributor Certification Form. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as received.

Interested partnerships must apply for program participation by submitting a completed Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form and Eligible Distributor Certification Form. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as received.

Submit the following to apply for program eligibility:

• Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form (xlsx)

• Eligible Distributor Certification Form (xlsx)

A reimbursement for the value of milk you donate — not a grant, and there is no award amount to apply for.

• Rate: "Reimbursements are limited to no more than 100 percent of the difference between the Class I milk price at the plant location (where the donated milk was processed) and the lowest class price for the applicable month (either Class III or Class IV)." In plain terms, you recover the Class I premium you gave up, not the full value of the milk.

• Not covered: "No, this program does not reimburse for transportation expenses."

• Eligible product only: "Only Class I fluid milk products (including flavored milks) produced and processed in the United States are eligible for reimbursement under this program."

• Payment timing: "Once your plan has been approved, claims can be submitted at any time. AMS will review, process, and issue payments for reimbursement claims on a quarterly basis."

• No match, no per-recipient cap, no contract length. The only dollar figure published is the program pool, not an award ceiling: "Congress authorized $9 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2019, and $5 million per fiscal year thereafter."

• Applications are rolling, and you must apply as a partnership between an eligible dairy organization and a non-profit distributor.

Submit the following to apply for program eligibility:

• Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form (xlsx)

• Eligible Distributor Certification Form (xlsx)

Once approved for program eligibility, you will receive the following forms via email to submit for reimbursement:

• Reimbursement Claim Form (xlsx)

Submit all forms to MDRP@usda.gov.

• MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form Overview (pdf)

• Milk Donation and Distribution Plan Form Sample (xlsx)

• Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP): What Do I Need to Know?

• Part 1146—Milk Donation Reimbursement Program

• Commodity Specifications for Fluid Milk and Milk Products Eligible for the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (pdf)