Healthy School Lunches lunch table
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National School Lunch Program Background

General Information | USDA School Meal Initiative Audits | NSLP Funding | Nutritional Requirements | Commodity and Bonus Foods | Cow’s Milk in School Lunch | Vegetarian Entrées | Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

NSLP Funding

  • Schools that choose to take part in the NSLP get cash subsidies, donated commodities, and free bonus shipments from the USDA for each meal they serve.
  • The amount of reimbursement depends on the number of children receiving free and reduced-price lunches. ( In the school year 2006-07, schools received $2.40 for each lunch served free of charge, $2.00 for each reduced-price lunch, and $0.23 for full-price lunches. )
  • Bonus foods are free to schools and can vary in type and amount. They depend entirely on the agricultural surplus available at a given time.
  • The amount of commodity foods, called “entitlement” foods, that a district receives is based on the total number of lunches served. It amounts to 16.75 cents worth of food for each lunch served.
  • School food authorities can also be reimbursed for snacks served to children in after-school educational or enrichment programs and for breakfasts served in non-profit breakfast programs.