If your family is currently facing financial difficulties, your children may be eligible for free or reduced-cost meals at school. In today's soft economy, a rising number of students can qualify for food assistance - which is particularly important to providing nutrition that will promote optimal learning.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted initiative in the United States that provides nutritious and affordable meals to school children. It was established in 1946 and is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The primary goal of the National School Lunch Program is to ensure that all students have access to healthy meals during the school day. The program aims to promote the overall well-being and academic performance of children by providing them with balanced and nutritious food options.
Under the NSLP, participating schools receive cash subsidies and food commodities from the USDA to offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible students. The program is available in public, nonprofit private, and residential child care institutions, including pre-kindergarten and afterschool programs.
The NSLP offers a variety of food choices that meet specific nutritional guidelines. These guidelines are designed to provide a balanced mix of protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. The meals served through the program are required to meet certain standards for calories, saturated fat, sodium, and other nutrients.
Parents play a crucial role in the National School Lunch Program. They are responsible for submitting an application for their child to determine their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. The eligibility is determined based on factors such as household size and income level. Even if a child does not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, they can still participate in the program by purchasing meals at full price.
The NSLP offers several benefits to parents and their children. Firstly, it helps ensure that children receive proper nutrition, which is essential for their growth, development, and overall health. By providing healthy meals at school, the program supports parents in their efforts to provide nutritious food to their children.
Additionally, the National School Lunch Program alleviates financial burdens for families who may struggle to afford regular meals for their children. By offering free or reduced-price meals, it helps ensure that children from low-income households have access to nourishing food without compromising their educational opportunities.
In conclusion, the National School Lunch Program is a vital initiative that aims to provide healthy and affordable meals to school children across the United States. By participating in the program, parents can ensure their children receive proper nutrition and support their academic success.
Although school budgets may be shrinking, the free meals program has been federally funded since 1946, when President Truman signed the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). NSLP's purpose is to provide "nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day." To determine if your child is eligible for the lunch program, review the NSLP qualifications discussed in detail in this article.
What is the National School Lunch Program?
According to NSLP's Fact Sheet, the National School Lunch Program offers assistance for students in more than 101,000 public schools, residential childcare institutions, and non-profit private schools. Since 2007, NSLP has provided low-cost and free meals, including both breakfast and lunch, to more than 30.5 million children every school day.
Additionally, with Congress' approval to extend NSLP's provisions, children have also been able to receive free or reduced-cost snacks since 1998. Generally, these snacks are only covered for students who are under the age of 18 and who are also participating in an extracurricular after-school activity.
How Does NSLP Work?
While the NSLP is a federal program, administrators work directly with state agencies that implement the program in their region. Any schools or districts that participate in NSLP are provided with cash subsidies and donated foods from the United States Department of Agriculture for each meal and snack served. To meet the guidelines of NSLP, participating school cafeterias are required to serve meals that meet Federal USDA requirements.
While each school meal is required to meet Federal guidelines, the specific foods and the methods for serving such foods are decided by local school leaders. Regardless of the meal options, every food item provided for eligible NSLP students is required to meet the following criteria:
- The meal cannot contain more than 30 percent calories from fat
- Contains less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat
- Each meal provides at least 1/3 of the USDA's recommended dietary allowances of the following:
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Calories
This video explains the national School Lunch Program in more detail.
Requests for NSLP Assistance are on the Rise
According to USA Today, the dwindling economy has remarkably increased the need for NSLP support. As investigations reveal, "For the first time since 2004, a majority of cafeteria operators say the number of children getting free or reduced-price lunches has risen." As the School Nutrition Association has uncovered, 51.4 percent of food service directors reported an increase in requests for NSLP support since 2007. As job losses, lay-offs, and wage reductions are causing serious setbacks for many families, the NSLP may be some children's only reliable source of a well-balanced meal. While the economy struggles to recover, experts predict that the number of children eligible for NSLP will continue to rise.
Is My Child Eligible for NSLP?
Children attending schools that offer NSLP meals can enjoy free or low-cost meals if they meet specific guidelines. However, students who are not eligible for NSLP can still purchase any meals and foods offered through the program. Generally, a child is able to receive free or reduced meals if they meet basic guidelines such as:
- A child whose family income is at or below 130 percent of the poverty level can receive free meals
- A child whose family income is between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty level can receive reduced-cost meals (Students in this category are not to be charged more than 40 cents per meal)
- If a child's family income is over 185 percent of poverty, the student will pay a€œfulla€ price for meals, which are actually still cost-subsidized by the local school district
- After-school snacks are provided for children using the same income guidelines; however, students attending a school where at least 50 percent of students are eligible for NSLP are all provided snacks free of charge
Based upon these requirements and the 2008 poverty line, your child is eligible to participate in the NSLP program if your family meets the following income guidelines:
- A family of four must earn $27,560 or less for free lunches
- A family must earn a maximum income of $39,220 for reduced-cost meals
In today's economic climate, more students than ever qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. If your family qualifies, speak with your child's school for the local application, which is typically available in 26 different languages.
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