This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2017 (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
The Price Index is computed using five major food components in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index (cereal and bakery products; meats, poultry and fish; dairy; processed fruits and vegetables; and fats and oils). Each component is weighted using the relative weight as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The value of food assistance is adjusted each July 1 by the annual percentage change in a three-month average value of the Price Index for March, April, and May each year. The three-month average of the Price Index decreased by 3.55 percent from 209.20 for March, April, and May of 2015, as previously published in the Federal Register, to 201.77 for the same three months in 2016. When computed on the basis of unrounded data and rounded to the nearest one-quarter cent, the resulting national average for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 will be 23.00 cents per meal. This is a decrease of three quarters of a cent from the school year 2016 (July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016) rate.