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 Texas, 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 free or reduced-price meals to eligible children, with eligibility based on household income and size, in accordance with the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the NSLP within the state, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and providing guidance and support to participating schools. The goal of the NSLP is to promote the health and well-being of students by providing them with meals that meet federal nutrition standards.
