National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a voluntary program available to all public schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions which agree to operate a non-profit program offering lunches meeting federal requirements to all children in attendance. The schools and institutions receive cash reimbursement for each meal served due to their participation in the program. The sponsors of the program must:

• Serve meals that meet federal requirements,
• Operate a non-profit program,
• Offer free or reduced-priced meals to eligible children based on household income,
• Not identify or discriminate against any eligible student, and
• Operate food service for all students without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Children from families with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. Children from families with incomes over 185 percent of poverty must pay full price, although their meals are still subsidized to some extent. Schools can charge no more than 40 cents for a reduced-price lunch. But, the USDA doesn't set a limit on the amount schools can charge for a full price meal.