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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?
Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements
Policy Memos
Biden-Harris Administration to End Online Junk Fees for Low-Income Families Paying for School Meals
News Item
Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs
Policy Memos
USDA Hosts Largest Federal-Led Summit in Support of Healthy School Meals
News Item
Major USDA Investments in Local Foods Strengthen School Meals
News Item
Substitution of Vegetables for Fruit Flexibility in the School Breakfast Program: Q&As for Program Operators
Policy Memos
Fluid Milk Requirements for School Meals
Policy Memos
USDA Prepares for Healthy School Meals Summit with Record-Breaking Number of Partners
Subscriber Updates
USDA Invests $1.7 Billion to Support Farmers, Deliver Nutrition Assistance, and Bolster Rural Economies
News Item
Recurso de granos integrales para el Programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar y el Programa de Desayuno Escolar
Training and Outreach
Improving School Meals with Modernized Training for School Nutrition Professionals
Subscriber Updates
FY 2024 Team Nutrition Training Grants for Meal Pattern Modernization and Retention and Mentorship Opportunities
Page
Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 DGAs – Buy American Provisions Webinar
Webinars/Videos
Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals Today
Print Materials
Comment Request - National School Lunch Program
Comment Request
School Meals Operations Study
Research and Data
Spotlights
students around a table eating lunch at school
Community Eligibility Provision

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.

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
School Lunch Materials
Success Stories
Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks
Verification Toolkit
USDA's Focus on Nutrition Security
Page updated: July 01, 2024