The milk subsidy in 2026 is no longer based on the same rules across Taiwan. After the central government discontinued the program, it is now implemented by individual counties and cities: some have switched to digital cards redeemed at convenience stores or supermarkets, while others still provide it with school lunches. Parents are usually less concerned about whether their child is eligible, but rather whether the subsidy has been redeemed this week, whether it's available during winter or summer vacation, and whether forgetting to redeem it will invalidate the subsidy. This article summarizes the key points of the fresh milk subsidy program for children and the fresh milk policies in various regions, helping you quickly understand how and where to claim it. Reading this before the start of the school year will give you peace of mind.

( Image source: Taipei City Government Education Bureau)

Drink fresh milk in Taipei | Digital cards need to be replaced weekly, or they'll be reset to zero if you forget.

The rules in Taipei are fairly clear. Parents should first understand the eligibility requirements and the card, and then they can basically collect the cards periodically. The key points aren't difficult; the problem is getting so busy that you forget.

• Eligible applicants: Children attending public or private elementary or kindergarten schools in Taipei City, or children aged 2 to 12 who are registered residents of Taipei City.

• How to collect: Redeem the physical card with the digital card certificate. Common types include elementary school digital student ID cards and preschool digital card certificates. Students registered in Taipei but not enrolled in Taipei City can also apply for a child discount card or preschool digital card certificate based on their status.

• Partnering channels: 7-ELEVEN, OK Mart, FamilyMart, PX Mart, Mei Lian She, some Carrefour supermarkets, and Hi-Life.

• Subsidy frequency: One bottle of designated product can be redeemed per week, calculated from 00:00 on Monday to 23:59 on Sunday; unclaimed subsidies will not accumulate.

• Alternative options: Fresh milk or soy milk can be exchanged.

(Image source: New Taipei City Government)

Drink fresh milk in New Taipei City | Prepare your children's card and happiness card in advance for the easiest way.

The focus of reading assistance in New Taipei City is quite simple: which card, where to exchange it, and whether it was exchanged this week. For parents dropping off or picking up their children, it's convenient to do so along the way, but it's also easy to forget when busy.

• Eligible applicants: Children aged 2 to 12 who are enrolled in public or private elementary schools or kindergartens in New Taipei City, or whose household registration is in New Taipei City.

• How to redeem: New Taipei City Children's Card is mainly used during elementary school, New Taipei City Happiness Card is mainly used during kindergarten; after age 6, dairy products are mainly redeemed using New Taipei City Children's Card.

• Partnering channels: The four major convenience store chains plus PX Mart, Mei Lian She, Carrefour and other partner channels; rural schools can be delivered to schools.

• Subsidy frequency: 1 bottle per week, with one cycle from Monday 00:00 to Sunday 23:59. It can also be received during winter and summer vacations.

• Alternative options: Fresh milk and soy milk are available, while yogurt is only available through certain channels.

Drink fresh milk from Taoyuan | Not one bottle a day, but one bottle a week all year round

The most common misunderstanding in Taoyuan is that many people think the subsidy is received every day, but the correct version is that it is received every week throughout the year, not one bottle per day.

• Eligible recipients: Children aged 2 to 12 years old who are registered residents or students in Taoyuan City.

• How to collect: Bring your student ID or children's milk card to the participating stores and redeem it by card scanning.

• Partnering channels: 7-ELEVEN, FamilyMart, OK Mart, Hi-Life, PX Mart, Mei Lian She, Carrefour, and Fengkang Supermarket.

• Subsidy frequency: One bottle of fresh milk or soy milk per week throughout the year, including winter and summer vacations.

• Additional features: Parents can check the redemption status of the past 4 weeks through the multi-redemption platform.

Taichung Milk Subsidy | One bottle per week during the school term, plus additional milk available at Fengkang Supermarket

The key point in Taichung isn't whether there are subsidies or not, but rather the phrase "during the school term." The biggest difference between Taichung and Taipei, New Taipei City, and Taoyuan is that its currently publicly available rules primarily stipulate that subsidies are redeemed during the school term.

• Eligible recipients: Students in public elementary schools and public and private kindergartens in Taichung City.

• How to obtain: Elementary school students use their digital student ID cards, and kindergarten students use the "Taichung Calcium-Zan Digital Card".

• Partnering retailers: 7-ELEVEN, FamilyMart, OK Mart, Hi-Life, Taiwan Fengkang, PX Mart, Mei Lian She.

• Subsidy frequency: Limited to 1 bottle per week during the semester, and must be collected within the same week.

• Alternative: Lactose-intolerant school children can switch to soy milk.

Fresh milk is being consumed in Kaohsiung | Currently mainly supplied through school lunches

The situation in Kaohsiung differs significantly from that in Taipei and New Taipei City. Currently, dairy products are not primarily distributed through credit card redemption at convenience stores throughout the city, but rather through the school lunch menu. The most direct way for parents to know which day their child will receive dairy is to check the school lunch announcement.

• Eligible recipients: Students in public elementary schools (including attached kindergartens) and public kindergartens in Kaohsiung City.

• Implementation method: Starting from the first semester of the 114th academic year, the lunch menu shall serve dairy products or dairy products at least once a week.

• Alternative: People with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies can be served soy milk instead.

• Parents should note: Currently available information focuses on the school lunch supply model, unlike the citywide digital card system used in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Hsinchu Fresh Milk Policy | Announced to launch in April, details to be provided later.

The most certain thing about Hsinchu City right now is that the policy has been announced to start in April 2026, and it covers kindergarten students. As for the transportation, access routes, and collection period that parents are most concerned about, the publicly available information is not as complete as in Taipei and New Taipei City.

• Policy progress: The Hsinchu City Government has publicly stated that the "Drink Fresh Milk" program will be officially launched in April 2026.

• Target audience: Official public information has clearly stated that kindergarten children will be included.

• Budget signal: The budget for the Local Education Development Fund of the Education Department in 2026 already includes funding for the "Healthy Growth Plan of Drinking Fresh Milk".

Milk subsidy | Highlights from Changhua, Pingtung, and Keelung

These counties and cities don't follow the "you take your card and swipe it" route; instead, the supply is arranged by the county government or schools. First, consider the target audience, then whether it's redemption at retail outlets or supply to schools.

Changhua County | Continuing the tradition of "Fresh Milk for Schoolchildren's Smiles"

• Eligible beneficiaries: In 2026, the program was expanded to include private elementary and middle schools and private kindergartens within the county, while continuing the original coverage of elementary and middle schools and their affiliated kindergartens.

• Supply method: One free bottle of domestic fresh milk per week.

• Alternative: Soy milk is an alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.

• Policy Highlights: 115 years of self-raised funds of 105.4 million yuan for renewal.

Pingtung County | The program of having students drink fresh milk in every class has been extended to county-run high schools.

• Eligible recipients: County-run high schools, junior high schools, elementary schools, elementary school-affiliated kindergartens, and township-run kindergartens, totaling 367 schools and approximately 56,618 students.

• Supply method: The county government has decided to continue the "Every Class Drinks Fresh Milk" program, providing subsidies for fresh milk at least once a week.

• Parents' reminder: In Pingtung, the focus is on supplying schools, not primarily through credit card redemption at convenience stores.

Keelung City | Lunch drinks should be consumed at least once a week, with UHT milk as a necessary alternative.

• Implementation method: As can be seen from Keelung City's policy documents and lunch work manual, lunch drinks are provided at least once a week, and are rotated between UHT milk, 100% fruit juice or soy milk.

• Planning focus: Among them, long-lasting milk is a necessary replacement item.

• Parents' reminder: The information currently available in Keelung focuses more on the lunch program and is not a digital card system.

2026 Fresh Milk Subsidy Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Parents are most often stumped not by policy terminology, but by a few small issues in practical application. The following four questions are the most worthwhile to review first.

What to do about lactose intolerance?

• Key point: Most counties and cities have alternatives, the most common being soy milk. This arrangement can be seen in publicly available information from Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Changhua.

Can I get a replacement if I forget to collect it?

• Important: This method is mostly not applicable in cities that use digital card redemption. Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung all calculate on a weekly basis, so unclaimed redemptions in a given week usually do not carry over to the next week.

Can I still receive it during winter and summer vacations?

• Important: Not every county or city is the same. Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan explicitly state that it is eligible; Taichung's current publicly available rules are mainly based on the middle of the school term.

Can I still receive it after moving or changing schools?

• Key point: It usually depends on whether the residency or school enrollment still complies with local regulations. Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan all clearly list these two points, but the type of card used and the application method may differ.

A quick guide to getting fresh milk for your child: First, check your registered residence/school location, then refer to the announcement to avoid missing out.

Milk subsidies are now part of local government policies. While all children are drinking fresh milk, the eligibility criteria, required cards, distribution channels, and subsidy frequency may vary from county to county and city to city. When reading fresh milk policies, the most practical approach is to first check where your child is registered or attends school, then refer to official announcements to confirm whether the subsidy is available this week, whether it applies during winter and summer vacations, and whether it can be claimed retroactively if it is overdue. Memorizing commonly used channels will help parents avoid overlooking their child's rights.