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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?
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
Secretary Rollins Statement on Dairy Industry Voluntarily Removing Artificial Colors from National School Lunch Program
News Item
Child Nutrition Program Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - July 2021 through September 2022
Research Reports
Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines (2025-2026)
Federal Register Notices
Buy American Accommodation Process for School Year 2025-26
Policy Memos
Secretary Rollins’ Vision for the Department’s 16 Nutrition Programs
Policy
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