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What is the purpose of this program?
These two Federally assisted meal programs, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches and breakfasts to more that 26 million children each school day.
Total FY 2002 Funding for NSLP: $5.9 billion
Total FY 2003 Funding for NSBP: $1.68 billion
How can these funds be used?
School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the lunch program receive cash reimbursement and donated commodity assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. Funds can be applied to the costs of food, preparation, and other expenses associated with the food service.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Public schools or non-profit private schools of high school grade or under, and residential child care institutions are eligible. School districts and independent schools must serve lunches or breakfasts that meet Federal nutrition requirements, and they must offer free and reduced-price lunches to eligible children.
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the programs. For the lunch program children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals (currently $23,920 for a family of four). Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty level (currently $34,040 for a family of four) are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents.
What is the application or allocation process?
At the state level, the NSLP or NSBP are usually administered by SEAs, which operate the programs through agreements with local school districts.
Contact your state department of education or local districts to learn about the application process, timelines, eligibility requirements, and when funds are disbursed.
For the lunch program, most of the support USDA provides to schools comes in the form of cash reimbursement for each meal served. The current (July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004) basic cash reimbursement rates are: Free meals - $2.19; Reduced-price meals - $1.79; Paid meals - $0.21. Higher reimbursement rates are in effect for Alaska and Hawaii, and for some schools with high percentages of low-income children.
Funding Process for Schools:
Formula-based funding
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
This information also appears at the US Department of Education:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/default.htm
Authorizing Legislation:
National School Lunch Act 1946, Child Nutrition Act of 1996, as amended
Phone: (703) 305-2286
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