The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. The NSLP was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
In Arkansas, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) operates in line with federal guidelines to provide nutritious lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools, as well as residential childcare institutions. The program offers meals at a free or reduced cost to eligible children, ensuring that students have access to balanced meals during the school day. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined based on household income and size, in accordance with the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Arkansas Department of Education's Child Nutrition Unit is responsible for administering the NSLP within the state, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and providing guidance to participating schools and institutions.