No child should have to learn on an empty stomach.
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The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program in the United States that operates in public and nonprofit private schools as well as residential child care institutions. In 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the National School Lunch Act, which established the NSLP as a source of funding for nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches for children each school day.
Dig deeper into the NSLP in this MagellanTV documentary.
Notable Aspects of the NSLP
1 — Eligibility and Participation
Free Lunches: Available to children from households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
Reduced-Price Lunches: Available to children from households with incomes between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty level. These lunches typically cost no more than 40 cents.
Paid Lunches: Available to children from households with incomes above 185% of the federal poverty level. These meals are subsidized to some extent but not as much as the free or reduced-price meals.
2 — Nutritional Standards
Meals served through the NSLP must meet federal nutrition guidelines, which include serving more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. There are also limits on calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats.
3 — Reimbursement
Schools receive cash subsidies and donated commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve lunches that meet federal requirements and offer free or reduced-price lunches to eligible children.
4 — Related Programs
After School Snack Program: Provides snacks to children in after-school educational or enrichment programs.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): Ensures children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session during the summer months.
Seamless Summer Option: An extension of the NSLP, making it easier for schools to feed children during the summer.
School Breakfast Program (SBP): Established in 1966, works similarly to the NSLP.
(Credit: Martine Mars, via Pexels)
5 — Administration and Funding
The NSLP is administered at the federal level by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). At the state level, it is usually administered by state education agencies, which operate the program through agreements with school food authorities.
6 — Impact
The NSLP plays a critical role in addressing childhood hunger and improving the nutritional quality of children’s diets. It also supports academic performance by ensuring that children are well-nourished and ready to learn.
7 — Challenges and Improvements
There are ongoing efforts to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches and address issues such as food waste, participation rates, and meal accessibility. Recent changes include updated nutrition standards to align with the latest dietary guidelines and initiatives to source local and fresh foods.
Overall, the National School Lunch Program is an essential component of the United States’ efforts to promote the health and well-being of children, ensuring that millions of children receive the nutrition they need to succeed in school and beyond. In recent years, however, significant problems have arisen with program costs and reimbursement rates, and many schools are struggling to meet the economic challenges.
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Title Image: Adobe Stock
