{"id":355011,"date":"2016-04-04T11:01:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/education\/student-rights\/school-lunch-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-11-02T07:49:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T12:49:51","slug":"school-lunch-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/student-rights\/school-lunch-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"School Lunch Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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School Lunch Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

School meals are a big deal. They help fuel our students’ bodies for the school day. They also play a major role in public health. Some schools combine meal service with physical activity or school health lessons. The issue of childhood obesity and school lunches has come under increasing scrutiny in the past several decades.<\/p>\r\n

Despite efforts by local and national groups \u2013 such as the former First Lady Michelle Obama-inspired Let’s Move<\/a> campaign and a host of other advocacy groups for healthy eating, children are continuing to suffer from the harmful effects of unhealthy eating on school campuses. The federal government has taken notice of these health problems facing school-aged children by implementing a major overhaul of the nation’s lunch programs.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of school lunch laws in America. These rules help ensure that during the school year, kids from elementary school to high school get meals that are nutritious and affordable. So, let’s dive in and learn how laws make lunch periods for students better.<\/p>\r\n

A Brief Background of School Lunch Laws<\/h2>\r\n

School meal programs have a long history in the United States, governed by various laws and acts. From civil rights to nutrition guidelines, these laws ensure every student can access a healthy meal. The U.S. Department of Education ensures that all kids have equal meal access no matter the student’s background. The United States Code (U.S.C.) contains the federal laws that oversee these programs.<\/p>\r\n

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)<\/h2>\r\n

The National School Lunch Program<\/a> is the grandfather of school nutrition programs. Started by the National School Lunch Act, this program gives federal funds to public schools. President Harry Truman signed this program into law in 1946.<\/p>\r\n

The funds help to ensure schools can offer reduced-price meals or free school meals to students. Schools offer this to students based on their family’s income. These are reimbursable meals. This is because participating schools get money back (a reimbursement) for each meal they serve that meets certain guidelines.<\/p>\r\n

Breakfast is key for a solid start to the school day. The School Breakfast Program does for the morning what the NSLP does for lunch. Schools get money for serving breakfasts that meet the "meal pattern," a set of rules for what a meal should include. Like the NSLP, this program offers reduced-price or free meals based on family income and enrollment information.<\/p>\r\n

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act<\/h2>\r\n

To reduce childhood obesity and increase the health and nutrition of school children in America, the USDA issued new standards for school lunches. Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010<\/a>, the USDA does the following:<\/p>\r\n