National School Lunch Program

Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has made it possible for schools throughout the Nation to serve wholesome, low-cost lunches to children. Lunches provided through this program make an important contribution to good nutrition so vital to children's mental and physical development.

The program offers financial assistance for each lunch served to children, and additional financial assistance for each lunch served free or at a reduced price to eligible needy children. Schools participating in the NSLP must plan menus which meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provide essential nutrients toward the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the ages of students they are serving (1/3 RDA for lunch). Dietary Guidelines and Menu Compenents

In recognition of the importance of good nutrition, Congress passed Public Law 95-166 which required the USDA to restrict the sale of non-nutritious foods in participation schools. The federal regulation implementing this provision of Public Law 95-166 restricts the sale of categories of foods of minimal nutritional value (soda water, water ices, chewing gum, and certain candies such as hard candies, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondants, licorice, spun candies and candy coated popcorn) in the food service areas during meal service periods.

American School Food Service Association

Ohio Department of Education Child Nutrition Services

USDA Child Nutrition