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 Missouri, as in other states, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) operates to provide nutritious school lunches to children at a low cost or for free, depending on the financial need of the family. The program is federally funded and administered at the state level by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined by family income levels, which are set in accordance with federal guidelines. Schools participating in the NSLP must adhere to nutrition standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These standards align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are intended to ensure that meals provided are healthy, balanced, and contribute to the overall well-being of students. The program not only supports students' nutrition and health but also enhances their ability to learn by providing them with the necessary sustenance to focus on their studies.