Proposed Rule: NSLP and SBP Additional Menu Planning Alternatives

The National School Lunch Act requires that schools that are participating in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs claim reimbursements only for lunches or breakfasts which meet the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Act, including compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Healthy Meals for Children Act expanded the number of menu planning alternatives available to school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. In accordance with that legislation, this proposed rulemaking would reinstate the menu planning system in effect for School Year 1994– 95 (the traditional meal pattern) as one of the menu planning alternatives available to local school food authorities.

In addition, this proposal would permit school food authorities to use ‘‘any reasonable approach’’ to plan menus to meet the nutrition standards. The Department is also proposing to clarify and simplify several state agency monitoring responsibilities associated with the implementation of the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Act.