National School Lunch Program

 In FY 2018, schools served over 4.8 billion lunches to children nationwide.

 In FY 2018, schools served over 4.8 billion lunches to children nationwide.

Feeding the Future with Healthy School Lunches

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

Program Fact Sheet
lunch line

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State Agency Program Operator Household

What's New?

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USDA Approves Program to Feed Kids in Arkansas
News Item
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension 2
Policy Memos
CN COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiver Extension
Policy Memos
Nationwide Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver- Extension
Policy Memos
USDA Foods in Schools Product Information Sheets - Grains
Product Information
Blog: Supporting Local Farmers to Feed Children in Hawaii
News Item
SFSP and NSLP SSO Nationwide Waivers - Q&As
FAQs/Q&As
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant State Allocations by Year
Grants
USDA/USDC Authorized Labels and Manufacturers
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Child Nutrition Tables
Data
FY 2020 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities
Grant
Fiscal Year 2020 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver of Food Service Management Contract Duration in the NLSP and SFSP
Policy Memos
School Meals Operations Study: Evaluation of the School-Based Child Nutrition Programs
Notices
Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the NSLP and SFSP
Policy Memos
Comment Request - School Food Purchase Study IV
Notices

Spotlights

Smart Snacks in Schools

Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks

A number of tools and resources are available to help schools identify food items that meet Smart Snacks criteria. See the resources below for information about the Smart Snacks requirement, helpful tools, and ways to encourage children to make healthier snack choices that give them the nutrition they need to grow and learn.

Verification Toolkit
Community Eligibility Provision