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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Proposed Rules: Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the NSLP and SBP
Proposed Rule
Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for School Year 2020-21
Policy
Comment Request - Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk
Comment Request
Notice to Stakeholders: USDA Sets the Record Straight on Proposed School Meals Flexibilities
News Item
USDA Announces School and Summer Meals Reforms
News Item
School Meals Flexibilities
Fact Sheets
Questions & Answers Regarding Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Program Personnel
Policy Memos
USDA/USDC Authorized Labels and Manufacturers
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Tools for Schools: Serving Whole Grain-Rich
Toolkits
USDA Foods in Schools
Research
School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study (SNMCS) Webinar Series on Study Findings
Webinars/Videos
Child Nutrition Program Operations Study II, School Year 2015-2016
Research
Child Nutrition Tables
Data
Food Manufacturers/Industry
Technical Assistance & Guidance
National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020)
Reimbursement Rates
FNS Blog: Farms and Schools – A Critical Link for a Healthy Future
News Item

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