National School Lunch Program
Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has made it possible for schools throughout the nation to serve wholesome lunches to children to help meet their nutritional needs. These lunches make a vital contribution to children's mental and physical development.
School lunch programs help students by:
- Making healthy eating choices available. In recent years, recipes have been modified to reduce the fat, salt, and sugar content of school lunches. Items purchased are reviewed and, where possible, selected to improve the nutritional quality of the meals.
- Reinforcing classroom instruction by using the meals and dining areas as learning laboratories. Students now have more menu choices, including entrées, vegetables, fruits, and alternatives such as salad, potato, and pasta bars.
- Promoting nutrition as part of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle. By increasing awareness of the federal "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," the program promotes health and helps reduce the risk of chronic disease.
All lunches must meet the nutritional requirements outlined in the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," published jointly by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and must provide one-third of the children's nutritional requirements for the day. The NSLP is designed to reach all schoolchildren in the United States . Free and reduced price lunches are available for children who meet certain simple criteria. Local schools have information about eligibility and applications to receive these benefits.
Files and Links
2012-2013 School Meals Applications and Additional Files
Click here for presentations and handouts from Conferences and Meetings held by the Child Nutrition Programs
National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs Manual and Quick Reference
School Year 2011-2012 Child Nutrition Calendar
Income Eligibility Guidelines (2012-2013)
Eligibility Manual For School Meals (Updated October 2011)
Site Monitoring Form
Meal Counting and Claiming Manual
Transport Record Template
Food Based Production Record Template
Exception to the Meal Pattern Form
Menu Calendars for Approved Vendors
Vie Gourmet
Getting Started with the NSLP Guide
NSLP Policy Bulletins
Utah School Food Authority Directory
USDA - National School Lunch Program
USDA - School Meals Guidance & Resources