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Food Service: National School Lunch ProgramWhat is the National School Lunch Program? The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in over 101,000 public and non‐profit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low‐cost or free lunches to more than 30.5 million children each school day in 2008. In 1998, Congress expanded the National School Lunch Program to include reimbursement for snacks served to children in after school educational and enrichment programs to include children through 18 years of age. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the Federal level. At the State level, the National School Lunch Program is usually administered by State education agencies, which operate the program through agreements with school food authorities.
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How does the National School Lunch Program work?
Generally, public or nonprofit private schools of high school grade or under and public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate in the school lunch program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the lunch program get cash subsidies and donated commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve lunches that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price lunches to eligible children. School food authorities can also be reimbursed for snacks served to children through age 18 in after school educational or enrichment programs.
Civil Rights Compliance
State agencies and child nutrition sponsoring agencies shall comply with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; American with Disabilities Act (ADA); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
All USDA Food and Nutrition Programs should be implementing the revised nondiscrimination statement. It is meant to serve participants and applicants in the event they feel that they have been discriminated against. The statement also implies the public can expect to be treated fairly regardless of circumstances. Previously, there was one statement that was required on all publications. Now, the Office of Civil Rights has issued two statements, a long and short nondiscrimination policy.
State agencies and child nutrition sponsoring agencies shall comply with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; American with Disabilities Act (ADA); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
All USDA Food and Nutrition Programs should be implementing the revised nondiscrimination statement. It is meant to serve participants and applicants in the event they feel that they have been discriminated against. The statement also implies the public can expect to be treated fairly regardless of circumstances. Previously, there was one statement that was required on all publications. Now, the Office of Civil Rights has issued two statements, a long and short nondiscrimination policy.