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National School Lunch Program

In FY 2019, 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
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State Agency Program Operator Parent/Caregiver
What's New?
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Grant Applications to Improve School Meals through Local, Regional Partnerships Now Open
Stakeholder Notification
Procuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs
Policy Memos
Kentucky School District Increases Nutritious School Meal Choices Through Equipment Grant Funding
Success Story
2023 Pulse Survey: Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs
Federal Register Documents
National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program Demonstration Projects to Evaluate Direct Certification with Medicaid
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Child Nutrition Tables
Data
Professional Standards: Resources
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Community Eligibility Provision Status of School Districts and Schools by State
Technical Assistance
Clarification of Allowable Flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs Experiencing Milk Supply Shortages
Policy Memos
Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack on the 2022 Household Food Security in the U.S. Report
News Item
FNS Peer Review Agenda
Research, Analysis & Background
Growing Thriving Child Nutrition Programs in Rialto, California
Success Story
USDA Lifts Up School Meals Successes in Celebration of National School Lunch Week, Farm to School Month
News Item
USDA/USDC Authorized Labels and Manufacturers
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Community Eligibility Provision Resource Center
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Webinar on Final Rule: CEP- Increasing Options for Schools
Webinars/Videos
Spotlights
National School Lunch Spotlight image
School Lunch Materials

Learn more about school lunch! Find event ideas, recipes, activities, and more for school nutrition professionals, families, and teachers.

Eligibility for Affordable Connectivity Program through School Meals
Community Eligibility Provision
Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks
Verification Toolkit
USDA's Focus on Nutrition Security
Page updated: July 31, 2023