National School Lunch Program
Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has made it possible for schools throughout the nation to serve wholesome lunches to children to help meet their nutritional needs. These lunches make a vital contribution to children's mental and physical development.
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care instituions. Generally, public or non-profit private schools of high school grade or under and public or non-profit private residential child care institutions may participate in the school lunch program. School food authorities can also be reimbursed for snacks served to children through age 18 in afterschool educational or enrichment programs. School lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans". Afterschool snacks are provided to children on the same income eligibility basis as school meals.
School lunch programs help students by:
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Making healthy eating choices available. In recent years, recipes have been modified to reduce the fat, salt, and sugar content of school lunches. Items purchased are reviewed and, where possible, selected to improve the nutritional quality of the meals.
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Reinforcing classroom instruction by using the meals and dining areas as learning laboratories. Students now have more menu choices, including entrees, vegetables, fruits, and alternatives such as salad, potatoes, and pasta bars.
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Promoting nutrition as part of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle. By increasing awareness of the federal "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," the program promotes health and helps reduce the risk of chronic disease.
All lunches must meet the nutritional requirements outlined in the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," published jointly by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Human Services, and must provide one-third of the children's nutritional requirements for the day. The NSLP is designed to reach all school children in the United States. Free and reduced price lunches are available for children who meet certain simple criteria. Local schools have information about eligibility and applications to receive these benefits.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
The School Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. The School Breakfast Program operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program. Generally, public or non-profit private schools of high school grade or under and public or non-profit private residential child care institutions may participate in the School Breakfast Program.
Children who come to school hungry because they got up too late to spend time eating breakfast, weren't hungry before leaving home, didn't have an adult to encourage them to eat, or didn't have food in the home find it difficult to stay alert and learn. The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides children with nutritious foods before their school day begin, thus improving their diets and encouraging the learning process. Schools operating the SBP report increases in test scores, decreases in absenteeism, and an overall improvement in student behavior when children eat breakfast.
All students may eat breakfast if the program is offered at their school. Students who qualify for free or reduced price school lunch are eligible for the same benefits in the breakfast program. A school breakfast is designed to satisfy one-quarter of a child's recommended daily dietary needs and must meet the nutritional requirements outlined in the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans." Local schools have information about eligibility and applications to receive these benefits.
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve. Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs. Generally, public or non-profit private schools of high school grade or under and public or non-profit private residential child care institutions may participate in the Special Milk Program provided they do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write or call:
USDA, Director
Office of Civil Rights Room 326-W, Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
(202) 720-5964 (Voice and TDD)
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
You can download the program fact sheet from the USDA website - Fact Sheet