School Lunch Program

Dan Agri View, Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia

school lunchEverett Griner talks about the school lunch program now including three meals a day in today’s Agri View.


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From: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

School Meals

Child Nutrition Programs

Female Pupil With Healthy School Lunch In School CanteenThe Food and Nutrition Service administers several programs that provide healthy food to children including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the Special Milk Program.  Administered by State agencies, each of these programs helps fight hunger and obesity by reimbursing organizations such as schools, child care centers, and after-school programs for providing healthy meals to children.

Spotlights:

Community Eligibility Provision: Planning and Implementation Guidance

Certification of Compliance
6 Cents Rule

The Challenges of Unpaid Meals: Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools

Nutrition Standards in School Meals

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

School lunch service stationThe National School Lunch Program 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.

School Breakfast Program (SBP)

The School Breakfast Program provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition service administers the SBP at the Federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the Program in schools.

Special Milk Program (SMP)

USDA school milk programThe Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other Federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.