The National School Lunch Program in the USA provides low-cost or free meals for children in public schools, non-profit private schools, and residential child care centers. It began in 1946 to ensure children received nutritious meals and to absorb surpluses in agricultural food production. Institutions must meet federal guidelines and offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. Millions of children benefit from the program each year, with eligibility based on family income. After-school programs may also receive reimbursement for snacks provided to participating children.
In the United States (USA), there is a program designed to ensure that no child has to skip lunch at a public school, non-profit private school, or residential child care center. With funding from the US federal government, the National School Lunch Program provides low-cost and sometimes even free meals for children at these facilities. Additionally, the National School Lunch Program provides rebates to institutions that provide snacks to children who participate in certain after-school programs.
The National School Lunch Program began in 1946 when President Harry Truman signed the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act into law. The program’s purpose was twofold. It served as a way to help absorb surpluses in agricultural food production and to ensure school-age children received nutritious meals. The primary way the program helps residential schools and day care centers is by providing participating institutions with grants and cash rebates. However, institutions can also receive donations of goods provided by the US Department of Agriculture.
The condition of receiving funds and goods through the National School Lunch Program is that participating institutions must provide meals in line with federal guidelines. In addition, they must offer lunch meals for free or at a lower cost to children who meet the guidelines for eligibility for reduced-price meals. Institutions that offer after-school programs may also benefit from claiming reimbursement for snacks provided to children participating in their educational and enrichment programs.
Among the nutritional requirements that an institution must meet to be eligible for the National School Lunch Program are those related to calories. Each meal should not derive more than 30 percent of its calories from fat; the saturated fat calorie content of a meal should be 10% or less. Also, these meals are needed to provide meaningful nutrition. For example, each meal should include at least one-third of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of a number of nutrients, including protein, calcium and vitamin C. Each meal should also provide one-third of the RDA for calories.
Each year, millions of children consume meals provided through the National School Lunch Program, and children can purchase these meals as long as they attend a participating institution. However, some children are eligible for free or low-cost meals, and eligibility is based on family income. Those with incomes well above the poverty level may have to pay full price for meals, while those on low incomes may have discounted meals. Those with the lowest household income levels receive meals for free; after-school snacks are usually handled in much the same way. In areas where most children are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals, however, every child can get free snacks regardless of family income.
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