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
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State Agency Program Operator Household

What's New?

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USDA/USDC Authorized Labels and Manufacturers
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Food Manufacturers/Industry
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Child Nutrition Tables
Data
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
USDA Prepares, Releases Requested Informational Analysis on School Meals Eligibility under Proposed SNAP Rule
News Item
USDA Foods in Schools Photo Contest
Success Stories
USDA Recognizes Hard-Working School Meals Professionals, Empowers Them to Do Right in School Lunchrooms
News Item
NSLP USDA Foods Product Information Sheets - Fruits
Product Information
NSLP USDA Foods Product Information Sheets - Grains
Info Sheets
Prior Year NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants
Grants
Evaluation of the Direct Certification with Medicaid for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Demonstration - Year 1
Research
Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks
Toolkits
Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020)
Notices
Method II ART Grant Summaries
Grants
Demonstration Project for Non-Congregate Feeding for Outdoor Summer Meal Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat with Questions & Answers
Policy

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