Has your family been struggling with rising grocery costs? If you have school-age children, providing hundreds of meals yearly takes a big part of your food budget. Thankfully, programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) support working families by delivering healthy meals to America's children.
The NLSP has been an important part of child nutrition in the United States since 1946. The program delivers millions of healthy, affordable lunches during the school day.
By providing these nutritious meals, the NSLP supports kids' well-being and boosts their ability to learn in school. Schools, family caregivers, and communities work together to keep children healthy, setting them up for a brighter academic future.
The National School Lunch Program is a federal meal program that operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced lunches at low cost or free to children in school.
The program was established through the National School Lunch Act, which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Its main objective is to enhance the health and nutrition of students, particularly those from low-income families.
Each participating institution receives cash subsidies and surplus food from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the State level, the NSLP is administered by State agencies, which operate the program through agreements with school food authorities.
State agency contact information is available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/schoolmeals-contacts.
Participating school districts and independent schools receive cash subsidies and USDA surplus foods for every reimbursable meal they provide. In return, NSLP institutions must serve lunches that align with federal meal pattern standards and make these meals available to qualifying children at no cost or a reduced price.
School food authorities are also eligible for reimbursement for snacks provided to children enrolled in approved afterschool programs, including educational or enrichment activities.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) establishes specific meal pattern requirements to ensure students receive nutritious meals. These requirements, effective as of July 1, 2024, are tailored to different grade groups: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Fruits:
Vegetables:
Grains:
Meats and meat alternates:
Fluid milk
Calories:
Saturated fat: <10% of total calories (all grades)
Added sugars: <10% of total calories (all grades, required by July 1, 2027)
Sodium limits:
These standards are designed to align school meals with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, promoting healthier eating habits among students.
The NSLP provides special considerations for students with specific dietary needs, such as allergies, food sensitivities, serious illness, and religious beliefs. Schools accommodate these needs by offering alternative meal options or adjusting to standard meals.
For example, a student with celiac disease or diabetes would have access to a different food option per their medical diet.
Children can qualify as "categorically eligible" for free meals by being enrolled in specific Federal Assistance Programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Additionally, eligibility can be determined by their status as homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster children.
The NSLP offers free or reduced-price lunches based on a student's household income level:
Schools apply to participate in the NSLP through their state education agency. Family caregivers can ask about free or reduced-price meal applications at their child's school.
Families can apply for free or reduced-price lunches by completing an application provided by their child's school or school district, typically at the beginning of the school year. The form requires details about household size and income and, in some cases, supporting documents like pay stubs or benefit information.
Applications can be submitted to the school office or online, and families will be notified of their eligibility after review. Students in households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits may qualify automatically without applying. Families can reapply anytime if their financial situation changes.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) work together to provide students with nutritious meals throughout the school day.
Families can apply for both programs with a single application, and eligibility for one typically extends to the other, including direct certification for SNAP or TANF households.
Both programs follow aligned meal pattern standards, and schools often use shared resources, such as staff and facilities, to streamline operations. Universal meal programs, like the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), frequently cover both NSLP and SBP, ensuring all students have access to free or reduced-cost meals.
The NSLP and other child nutrition programs form a critical support network for American families. Coordinating these programs provides maximum access to healthy food and contributes to a healthy learning environment.
Providing access to healthy and affordable lunches, the NSLP promotes a foundation for children's physical and academic development, allowing every American child to thrive.
