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 Florida, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) operates in line with federal regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined by children's household income levels, which must fall below certain thresholds set by the federal government. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) administers the NSLP in the state, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and providing oversight and support to participating schools and institutions. The program aims to contribute to the health and educational readiness of the state's children by providing them with meals that meet federal nutritional standards.