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

I am a...

State Agency Program Operator Household

What's New?

prev
next
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
Q&As Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and Seamless Summer Option Operations through SY 2020-21 – Extension Q&As #3
Policy Memos
ICYMI: USDA Extends Free Meals for All Kids
News Item
CN - SFSP Monitoring Waiver
Policy Memos
Q&As Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and Seamless Summer Option Operations through SY 2020-21 – Extension Q&As #2
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the SFSP – Extension 2
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 2
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the SFSP - Extension 2
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 2
Policy Memos
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – Extension 5
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