Public Policy - has information about Public Policy and Federal Food Assistance programs, including links to updates on relevant legislation and outreach materials and tips for increasing participation in Federal Food Assistance Programs.

National School Lunch and Breakfast Program

The National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (NSLBP) enables schools and other agencies to provide reasonably priced and nutritious meals to children. The program is managed by the USDA at the national level, and by the Department of Education in California. NSLBP has two goals: to improve the nutrition of school-age children and to increase the consumption of surplus agricultural commodities.

The National School Lunch and Breakfast Program is perhaps best known for it's free and reduced meal component where children participating in NSLBP get a meal at school for a price that depends on the child's household's income. There are three tiers of pricing:

• Free meal if the household's income is below 130% of the poverty level.
• Reduced price if the household's income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty level.
• Full price for all the other children.

In Sacramento County, nearly 73% of school lunches and 92% of school breakfasts served went to children participating in the free and reduced meal program.

Several studies support the Sacramento Hunger Commission's position that good nutrition at school is crucial to children's physical and cognitive development. Hungry children do not learn effectively, and children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems.

For more information on NSLBP and other child nutrition programs, including advocacy efforts, contact the California Food Policy Advocates.

[Top]