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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Oversight Plan Waiver
Policy
Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver of Food Service Management Contract Duration in the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program Extension
Policy Memos
Q&As to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations School Year 2020-2021 #4
Policy Memos
Comment Request - Generic Clearance for the Special Nutrition Programs Quick Response Surveys (SNP QRS)
Comment Request
Secretary Perdue Applauds USDA’s 2020 Accomplishments
News Item
CN - SFSP Monitoring Waiver
Policy Memos
Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs
Technical Assistance
Professional Standards: Resources
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Proposed Rule: Restoration of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities
Proposed Rule
Notice to Stakeholders: USDA Publishes Proposed Rule Maintaining School Meal Flexibilities
News Item
Notice of Vacatur: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities
Final Rule
Off-site Monitoring Fact Sheets for Child Nutrition Programs
Fact Sheets
CN - SFSP Application Notification Waiver
Waivers
USDA/USDC Authorized Labels and Manufacturers
Technical Assistance & Guidance
P-EBT Assistance for Children in Schools that are Closed or have Reduced Attendance
Policy Memos

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