National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Picture of kids in a cafeteria

 

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

If you have questions regarding the National School Lunch Program, please contact a member of the Child Nutrition staff. 

 

NSLP Food Service staff are welcome to join our List Serve
 
Administrative and Procurement Reviews

     

    What Application and Accountability system can I use for SY2023? CEP, Special Provision II or Traditional

    NSLP During the Summer

    Operating NSLP During the Summer Webinar (30:00)
    Operating NSLP During the Summer (pdf)

    What Summer Meals Program to Operate - SFSP, NSLP, SSO
    SFSP, SSO, NSLP Decision Tree
    SFSP versus NSLP versus SSO
    What Summer Meals Program Can I Operate? 

    CEP & Special Provisions
    • Special Provisions - four alternative provisions to the normal requirements for annual determinations of eligibility for free and reduced price school meals and daily meal counts.
    • Community Eligibility Program (CEP) - this provision gives districts and/or schools the ability to not collect free & reduced meal applications

    Is CEP Right for Your District? 
    Is CEP Right for Your District? (pdf)

    Is Special Provision II Right for Your District? 
    Is Special Provision II Right for Your District? (pdf)

    Comparing CEP, Special Provision II and Traditional NSLP Reimbursement (xlsx)

    Comparing CEP, Special Provision II and Traditional NSLP Requirements (pdf)

    Daily Operations Forms
    Equipment Assistance 
    Food Safety
    Guidance
    Local Wellness Policy
    Management Forms
    Menu Planning Tools

    Tip Sheets

    Fruit Tip Sheet
    Meat/Meat Alternate Tip Sheet
    Milk Tip Sheet
    Vegetable Tip Sheet

    On-Site Monitoring Forms
    Production Records
    Program Planning, Operations and Resources
    Smart Snacks in Schools
    Special Dietary Needs
    NSLP Press Releases

    SY24 Sample News Releases

    Sample NSLP News Release
    Sample NSLP News Release for Private or Non-Public Schools
    Sample Media Release for Special Provision Schools

     
    Waste and Recycling
     
    What's for Lunch?
    Four Week Cycle Menu 
    Cheeseburger Soup
    Pretzels
    Roasted Chickpeas
    Fruit
    Milk
    General Tso's Chicken
    with Sesame Noodles
    Broccoli
    Fruit
    Milk
    Hummus with Pita Chips
    Greek Salad
    Fruit
    Milk
    BBQ Pulled Pork
    with Whole Grain Bun
    Potato Salad
    Fruit
    Milk
    Roasted Chicken
    Focaccia Bread
    Gazpacho
    Fruit
    Milk
    Ham & Cheese Wrap
    Corn Chowder
    Fruit
    Milk
    Chef Salad with
    Whole Grain Croutons
    Fruit
    Milk
    Creamy Chicken Taco Soup
    Tortilla Chips
    Fruit
    Milk
    Buffalo Chicken Wrap
    Baby Carrots
    Fruit
    Milk
    Fish Tacos
    Gold Fish Crackers
    Fruit
    Milk
    Lasagna
    Dinner Roll
    Cherry Tomatoes
    Fruit
    Milk
    Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    Crackers
    Fruit
    Milk
    Big Mac Salad
    Breadstick
    Fruit
    Milk
    BBQ Chicken
    Cheddar Biscuit
    Roasted Corn
    Fruit
    Milk
    Steak & Cheese Pizza
    Roasted Chickpeas
    Fruit
    Milk
    Chicken Caesar Salad
    with Whole Grain Croutons
    Fruit
    Milk
    Mac & Cheese
    Breadstick
    Sliced Cucumbers
    Fruit
    Milk
    White Bean & Chicken Chili
    Tortilla Chips
    Fruit
    Milk
    Carnitas
    Mexican Corn
    Fruit
    Milk
    Buffalo Chicken Dip
    Tortilla Chips
    Cheese Stick
    Cherry Tomatoes
    Fruit
    Milk
          For more information or questions about the National School Lunch Program please contact a Child Nutrition staff member.