A-Z Index PK12 Topics Nutrition Programs |
A-Z Index PK12 Topics Nutrition Programs |
| National School Lunch Program |
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The National School Lunch Program is a federally funded program which assists schools and other agencies in providing nutritious lunches to children at reasonable prices. In addition to financial assistance, the program provides donated commodity foods to help reduce lunch program costs. The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing the program nationally. In Iowa, the program is administered by the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation. For more information, connect to the USDA site.
For children, the National School Lunch Program provides a nutritious
meal that contains 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of
necessary nutrients. For parents, the program offers a convenient
method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest
possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning
abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being.
Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have
fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in
class.
What type of lunch must be offered?
The USDA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children emphasizes our
national health responsibility to provide healthy school meals that are
consistent with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), the calorie
goals and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
What is involved in daily operations of the National School Lunch Program?
The lunch program must be open to all enrolled children. Free or
reduced price meals must be provided to those children who qualify for
such benefits according to specified household size and income
standards. Agency staff must verify income on a percentage of those
receiving free or reduced price lunches to confirm their eligibility.
Records must be kept to document that the lunch program follows all
federal and state rules and regulations.
What Types of Agencies May Participate? Public and private nonprofit schools are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. Also eligible are public and private nonprofit licensed residential child care institutions (e.g., group homes, juvenile halls). ReimbursementAgencies that participate in the program are reimbursed from two sources: the United States Department of Agriculture and the State of Iowa. State reimbursement is paid for all meals until allocated funds are depleted. Federal reimbursement is paid for all meals served and claimed according to regulations. The National School Lunch Program is operated on a reimbursement basis, with agencies reimbursed on the number of meals served by eligibility type. Resources for Food Service StaffSample inventory records and staffing guidelines. Lunch Form for SMI Records (2006-06-14) Inventory Records (2006-06-14) Sample Staffing Guidelines for On-Site Production (2007-03-13)Menu Production Work SheetsSample food production record for a variety of menus and grade levels. USDA requires daily food production records.
Resources for AdministratorsThe information in this section includes primarily forms, memos, and instructions for other program specific document used frequently by administrators.
Additional resources for administrators can be found in the Nutrition Program Learning Tools Section.
FY09 School Meal Programs Documents USDA 2008-2009 Income Eligibility Guildelines are used in determining eligibilty for free and reduced price meals or free milk. These guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Special Milk Program for Children.  Ethnic Racial Form Notification Form Sample Prototype Application for Waiver of Confidentiality Sample (Prototype IX) (2006-06-14) Food Assistance Outreach Poster
USDA Eligibility Manual for School Meals
This link will take you to the USDA Policy Manual, Eligibility Manual for School Meals. This manual contains information on Federal requirements regarding the determination and verification of eligibility for free and reduced price meals in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. These provisions also apply to the determination of eligibility for free milk under the Special Milk Program. This manual replaces the manual issued in August 2001 and reflects changes made as a result of the Child Nutrition and WIC reauthorization Act of 2004, final and interim regulations, and policy clarifications issued since August 2001.
Verification Information USDA requires School Food Authorities(SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program to verify 3% of the households that have applied for free or reduced price meal benefits. Letter to Households USDA Verification Selection for Letters to Households (Prototype III) 07 (2006-09-12) Ltr of Verification Results USDA Verification Results Notification Ltr to Households(Prototype VI) Verification Training 2009Reauthorization 2004 Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 made a number of changes to the Child Nutrition programs: National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Care Program, and Summer Food Service Program. For detailed information on reauthorization visit USDA's web site at:
hawk-i Information
Homeless Children in the School Nutrition Program
Forms Edit Record for Meal Counts Individual Bldg (2006-06-14) Self Monitoring Form for Onsite Reviews (2006-06-14)
Memoranda
NSLP FAQs
Frequently asked questions on determining eligibility of households applying for free and reduced price meals. NSLP Links |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 ) |
Enhanced Food Production Records