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National School Lunch Program

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/Local Agency Program Operator Parent/Caregiver
What's New?
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”
Federal Register Notices
Guidance on the Interpretation of Discrimination Based on “Sex” in USDA Child Nutrition Programs
Policy Memos
FAQs for Suppliers and Manufacturers Publishing Data for the Child Nutrition Database
FAQs/Q&As
Reimbursement for Off-Site Meal Consumption
Policy Memos
Guide to Successful Publication to the USDA Child Nutrition Database
Technical Assistance
Interim Final Rule: National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Elimination of the State Ameliorative Action Reporting Requirement for School Meals Eligibility Verification
Interim Final Rule
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Allocation of Funds for FY 2026
Policy Memos
Enhancing Child Nutrition Program Meal Standards
Policy Memos
Offer versus Serve Flexibilities for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
Policy Memos
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
Policy Memos
Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for School Year 2025-2026
Policy Memos
Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods
Policy Memos
First 100 Days at FNS
Factsheets
In the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration, Secretary Rollins Works to Make America Healthy Again
News Item
In the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration, Secretary Rollins Puts Farmers First
News Item
Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy Visit Texas to Meet with Farmers Who Are Making America Healthy Again and Utilizing Stewardship Practices, Secretary Rollins Provides Update on New World Screwworm
News Item
Spotlights
image of a healthy lunch tray
Updates to the School Nutrition Standards

This final rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans - is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security.

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
Community Eligibility Provision
School Lunch Materials
Success Stories
Smart Snacks in Schools
Verification Toolkit
Page updated: May 01, 2025