National School Lunch Program

 In FY 2019, schools served over 4.8 billion lunches to children nationwide.

 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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Third Access, Participation, Eligibility, And Certification Study (APEC-III), School Year 2017-18
Research
USDA Foods in Schools Product Information Sheets - Grains
Product Information
Back to School
Nutrition Education
Stronger with School Meals Educational Materials
Nutrition Education
Materiales educativos de Más fuerte con las comidas escolares
Nutrition Education
Planning for a Dynamic School Environment Webinar: Guidance for Meal Service Flexibilities for SY 2021-2022
Webinars/Videos
Correction: National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates
Notices
Planning for a Dynamic School Environment During School Year 2021-2022: Summary of Flexibilities
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Pandemic EBT – State Plans for 2021-22
Policy Memos
The School Day Just Got Healthier: Educators and Students
Toolkits
The School Day Just Got Healthier: Parents
Toolkits
The School Day Just Got Healthier: School Administrators and Foodservice
Toolkits
The School Day Just Got Healthier
Toolkits
The School Day Just Got Healthier: Community Members
Toolkits
Procurement Strategies for School Year 2021-2022: Webinar for School Food Authorities
Webinars/Videos
Procurement Strategies for School Year 2021-2022: Webinar for State Agencies
Webinars/Videos

Spotlights

School supplies with a reopening plan on a notepad

Planning for a Dynamic School Environment

As schools work toward resuming regular operations, USDA continues to offer flexibilities in response to public health needs and to ease administrative burden, while still promoting nutritious meals. Learn more about adjusting meal service operations during the dynamic school year ahead.

Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks
Community Eligibility Provision
Verification Toolkit