National

School Lunch
Program
Kayla Abella
Heather Adamcewicz
Description of the program
● The mission of the program is to provide access to healthy and safe food to those in need
● The NSLP provides free or reduced price meals for eligible families who earn at or below the poverty level.
● There are also nutrition standards and requirements for all meals provided through the program.
● Federal funding through taxpayers
● Private funding through nonprofit organizations
Background and history of the program
● The program started in 1946 and was signed into law by President Harry Truman
● The program was first established as the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
● During this time period there was a review over child food security in areas of Europe which eventually made
its way over to the US
● push for reform from the private organizations
● The program has also adapted over time to new nutrition standards. There have been changes involving the
national nutrition standards i.e. the food pyramid to myplate that have affected the standards in which the
NSLP abides by
Eligibility
● Children in households below 130% of the poverty level qualify for free lunch
● Children in households between 130% to 185% of the poverty level qualify for
reduced-priced lunch. Reduced lunches cost no more than 40 cents per meal.
● You may be deemed “categorically eligible” if you already participate in Federal
Assistance Programs (such as SNAP)
● Children who are migrants, homeless, and or foster children are also eligible
Population served by the program
● Children Preschool- Grade 12 in public and nonprofit private institutions
● Some child care institutions may participate
● Charter schools may participate as public schools
● School districts receive cash subsidies and USDA foods
● They are reimbursed for each USDA meal they serve
Population Reached in Numbers
● Based on data as of March 2019, 29.8 million students were on NSLP. 74.3% of the student population was on
free or reduced lunch. 4,869.1 million lunches were served.

● In New Jersey, there are approximately 1,951,005 people under the age of 18.

13.7% of children under 18 in New Jersey live in poverty

So about 267,288 children under 18 qualify for NSLP.

 Summary of Comprehensive Nutrition
Programs and Services in Schools
Outcomes:
● Compared to School Breakfast and Summer Food Service programs, NSLP is the most participated in program.
● After school snacks can also be offered under NSLP if the institutions after school programs and follow strict USDA guidelines.
● Studies have shown positive intake of nutrients after the 2012 nutrition standards were updated (first time in 15 years).
● In 2017, the USDA issued a School Meal Flexibility Rule for the 2018-2019 school year to continue offering waivers for whole
grains, to maintain sodium at Target 1 levels and to offer 1% flavored milk as an option.
● OVS helped reduce food waste by allowing students to chose most of what goes on their plate.

Issues:
● The 2010 HHFKA only provided 6 cents more reimbursement to schools complying with updated USDA meal patterns in 2012.
● The 2012 updated regulations increased the preparation of meals an estimated 10 cents
● A result of this has been directors needing to reduce staffing, not invest into quality equipment, and reduce reserve funds in
order to offset finances.

For the future, schools plan on enhancing nutrition promotion in order to increase participation in school meal programs. They want
children to have a respect for food along with the farmers who grow it and people who serve it. They want more nutrition education so
that kids can decrease food waste and make educated decisions about what goes on their plates.
Offer Vs. Serve
● OVS is a term used in NSLP to monitor what a child puts on their plate
● There are 5 components to a lunch: dairy, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains
● Students must take 3 options, and one of the options must be either fruits or
vegetables
Interview: Introductory information
● Toni Bowman

● Lead Dietitian for Pomptonian Food Service

● President elect for AND

● Adjunct Professor at MSU

Description and Role
● Over 8 years as an RD: CD 3 years
● Involved in a lot of different roles (pomptonian, NJAND, MSU)
● Approves products served in the cafeteria
● Monitors and deals with food allergies
● Creates menus
● Client meetings
● Food service directors meetings
● Administrative reviews
● Newsletters
● Some contact with parents
● Interactive menus
Training and career path
● Undergraduate
● Internship
● The basics of nutrition were really important
● Clinical work
Successes and challenges
● Challenging: limitations in schools, each one is different

● Successes: serving kids/helping them “this may be the only hot meal they get in

the day” trying new items

New ventures or future directions
● The local fruit and vegetable of the month program

● Taste Tests

● New foods in the menus

Advice for future community nutritionists
● Keep an open mind
● You don’t know what you will fall in love with
● Look at food service skills and culinary skills
● Understand the kitchen
● Food service director first (need to know how it works)
● Understand the basics
References
About FNS. (2019, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/about-fns

Federal Register. (2012). Department of Agriculture, 77(17). Retrieved from

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf

National School Lunch Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/child-nutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program/

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM: PARTICIPATION AND LUNCHES SERVED.

(2019, March 8). Retrieved from https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/pd/slsummar.pdf

New Jersey. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0400000US34&q=New Jersey

NSLP Program History. (1971). Retrieved from

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/NSLP-Program History.pdf
References Cont.
Saradhyula. (n.d.). Department of Agriculture: National School Lunch Program. Retrieved from

https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/school_lunch.html#record

School Meal Trends & Stats. (2020). Retrieved from

https://schoolnutrition.org/aboutschoolmeals/schoolmealtrendsstats/

The National School Lunch Program. (2017, November). Retrieved from

https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/resource-files/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

U.S. Hunger Relief Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.feedingamerica.org/