Analysis of Verification Summary Data SY 2004-05 (Corrected)

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide federal subsides for more than 27 million meals served to school children each school day. Over half of these meals receive an extra subsidy because they are served to low-income children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Students become eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits through direct certification or through application. Direct certification is based on documentation provided by a State Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) administering agency which establishes that a student is a member of a household which receives benefits under these programs. All directly certified students are eligible for free meals.