Definitions

AMS means the Agricultural Marketing Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Eligible dairy organization means a dairy farmer, either individually or as part of a cooperative, or a dairy processor that:

(1) Accounts to a Federal Milk Marketing Order; and

(2) Incurs a qualified expense described in § 1146.1.

Eligible distributor means a public or private non-profit organization that distributes donated eligible milk.

Eligible milk means Class I fluid milk products produced and processed in the United States that meet the specifications referenced in § 1146.3.

Eligible partnership means a partnership between an eligible dairy organization and an eligible distributor.

Fiscal year means the twelve-month period beginning October 1 of any year and ending September 30 of the following year.

Participating partnership means an eligible partnership for which AMS has approved a Milk Donation and Distribution Plan (Plan) for eligible milk under § 1146.104.

Program means the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program established in this part.

Qualified expense means the cost incurred to purchase fresh fluid milk products.

Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture or a representative authorized to act in the Secretary's stead.

[84 FR 46658, Sept. 5, 2019, as amended at 86 FR 48897, Sept. 1, 2021; 88 FR 60105, Aug. 31, 2023; 90 FR 22624, May 29, 2025]