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Dairy Program

Milk Donation Reimbursement 

Program (MDRP)

What Do I Need to Know?

When are Plan and Certification Forms due?

You may apply for the MDRP on a rolling basis. There is no deadline and applications will be processed, as 

received. 

How often do I need to apply for a partnership?

You only need to apply once, per partnership. Once approved, the partnership approval is good for the 

duration of the MDRP. If a partnership is formed with a new entity, it requires the submission of new Plan 

and Certification forms. 

What will AMS reimburse?

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).

Who is eligible to participate?

This program requires participation by a participating partnership made up of an eligible dairy organization 

and an eligible distributor. An eligible dairy organization is a dairy farmer, either individually or as part of a 

cooperative, or a dairy processor, that accounts to an FMMO pool and incurs qualified expenses by 

accounting to the pool for fluid milk product donations. An eligible distributor is a public or private nonprofit organization able to distribute donated milk. An eligible partnership is a partnership between an 
Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

September 2023 / www.ams.usda.gov

eligible dairy organization and an eligible distributor. A participating partnership is an eligible partnership 

whose application has been approved by AMS.

What is the application and reimbursement process?

Step 1: Eligible dairy organization partners with eligible distributor

Step 2: Eligible partnership submits a Milk Donation and Distribution Plan and Eligible Distributor 

Certification Form: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.

Step 3: Pending review, AMS approves eligible partnership to become participating partnership.

Step 4: Eligible dairy organization donates fluid milk products via eligible distributor.

Step 5: Eligible dairy organization submits MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp, 

and relevant documentation.

Step 6: AMS reimburses eligible dairy organization.

In addition to the MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form, what kind of documentation does my 

organization need to provide to receive reimbursement?

Your organization needs to provide proof of donation through documentation that might include, but is not 

be limited to: processing and shipping records; bills of lading; storage records; and/or receiving records 

from the eligible distributor. See the MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form Overview: 

www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.

My organization wants to donate dairy products, not beverage milk. Are my donations eligible for 

reimbursement?

Only Class I fluid milk products (including flavored milks) produced and processed in the United States are 

eligible for reimbursement under this program. 

What specifications must the donated milk products meet?

Milk products for donation must meet the commodity specifications detailed in “Commodity Specifications 

for Fluid Milk and Milk Products Eligible for the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program”: 

www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.

How often will AMS issue reimbursement payments?

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. 

Can my organization be reimbursed for transportation expenses?

No, this program does not reimburse for transportation expenses. 

Where can I find information on classified milk prices in my area?

Refer to the Market Administrator Website for your area to find data on classified milk prices, as well as 

other statistics. 

When will I know if my organization’s plan was approved?

AMS will review applications and notify applicants regarding approval or disapproval for program 

participation.