The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues, 2024 Edition

by Saied Toossi, Jessica E. Todd, Joanne Guthrie, and Michael Ollinger

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the Nation's second largest food and nutrition assistance program, providing billions of meals to tens of millions of children and adolescents each year. The USDA, Economic Research Service periodically reports NSLP policies and program operations, often following major changes to the programs rules and guidelines. The last such report was published in 2008. Since then, the program underwent major changes precipitated by the passage of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 and the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Changing economic conditions may have also affected program spending and participation. This report provides an overview of the NSLP, documents major program changes since 2008, and examines historical trends and participant characteristics. It also summarizes relevant research on the financial status of school food authorities, program participation, the nutritional quality of school lunches, and the impact of the program on the diets of children and adolescents. It concludes by discussing issues facing the program and research and data needs.

How to Cite:

Toossi, S., Todd, J. E., Guthrie, J., & Ollinger, M. (2024). The National School Lunch Program: Background, trends, and issues, 2024 edition (Report No. EIB-279). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. https://doi.org/10.32747/2024.8633520.ers

Keywords: National School Lunch Program, Seamless Summer Option, After-School Snack Service, Farm to School, USDA Foods in Schools

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Report summary