National School Lunch Program
What is the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)?
The NSLP is a voluntary program available to all public schools,
private schools, and residential child care institutions which
agree to operate a non-profit program offering lunches meeting
federal requirements to all children in attendance. Through
the NSLP, public and non-profit private schools, preprimary
classes in schools, and residential child care institutions
receive cash reimbursement for each meal served. Participation
in the program is voluntary. The sponsors of the program must:
- Serve meals that meet federal requirements,
- Operate a non-profit program,
- Offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children
based on household income,
- Not identify nor discriminate against any eligible student,
and
- Operate food service for all students without regard to
race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Who qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches?
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through
the NSLP. Participating schools and institutions must provide
free and reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children. Children
from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the
poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those between 130
percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible
for reduced-price meals. Children from families with incomes
over 185 percent of poverty pay full price, though their meals
are still subsidized to some extent.
How are sponsors reimbursed for meals?
The sponsors receive reimbursement based on the number of
meals served to children per category: free, reduced-price,
and paid. Schools can charge no more than 40 cents for a reduced-price
lunch. USDA sets no limit on the amount schools can charge
for a full-price meal. However, the sponsors must operate
their meal services as non-profit programs.
For the NSLP, extra reimbursement is available for those
sponsors who have 60% more free and reduced-price lunches
served in the second preceding year.
What are the meal nutrition requirements?
School meals must meet Federal nutrition requirements and
the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but decisions about
what foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by
school food authorities (SFAs). Regulations establish a standard
for school lunches to provide one-third of the Recommended
Daily Allowances (RDA) of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron,
and calcium. In addition, an adequate amount of calories must
be provided for students. Schools' compliance with both the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the RDA's is measured
over a school week's menu.
School food authorities must choose one of four systems for
their menu planning: Nutrient Standard (NuMenus
and Assisted NuMenus), Enhanced
Food-Based, or Traditional
Food-Based. With the NuMenus and Assisted NuMenus menu
planning systems, a computerized nutritional analysis of the
week's menu is conducted. The Enhanced Food-Based and Traditional
Food-Based menu planning options base menu planning on a minimum
number of components and quantities of meat or meat alternate;
vegetables and fruits; grains and breads; and milk.
What are the sponsor’s responsibilities for administering
the program?
Administrative responsibilities for the program include:
- Maintain financial records to ensure non-profit status,
- Provide applications for meal benefits to each household,
- Approve and/or deny applications for meal benefits,
- Verify current income from a sample of households selected,
- Ensure meals meet federal nutrient standards,
- Take meal counts at the point of service,
- Conduct a monthly edit of meal counts,
- Conduct an on-site review of each school to ensure accurate
counting and claiming of meals,
- Submit claims for reimbursement, and
- Competitively bid for purchased food, supplies, equipment,
and services.
An annual application must be submitted each year in order
to apply for funding. Applications are for the federal fiscal
year, October 1 through September 30.
How can you apply to become a sponsor?
To apply to be a new sponsor in the National School Lunch,
School Breakfast, Special Milk, Illinois Free Breakfast and
Lunch, and Food Distribution Program, click on the link below
to obtain the forms you need to complete for the programs
in which you choose to participate. New applications may be
submitted at any time. Applications are valid from the date
of approval through September 30 each year.
Program
Participation Request Form
Are there any additional application requirements?
Private Non-profit Schools
In addition to the above forms, private non-profit schools
must be recognized as a school by the Illinois State Board
of Education and submit a copy of the tax exempt letter showing
status under the section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Private Residential Child Care Institutions
Private residential child care institutions must submit a
license or a document indicating that a license is not required.
How does an SFA contract with a Food Service Management
Company or Vendor?
School food authorities may contract with a food service
management company or vendor to provide their meal services.
You are required to meet or exceed federal procurement procedures
and regulations that govern Child Nutrition Programs when
developing the proposal and awarding the contract. To ensure
compliance with federal procurement procedures and continued
funding, school food authorities must submit contract documents
to our office for review prior to seeking bids. All new contracts
and renewals should be mailed to the Illinois State Board
of Education, 100 North First Street W-270, Springfield, Illinois
62777.
For additional information and forms, click
here.
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