USDA School Meal Programs: How and Why the Cost of Food Purchases Varies Across Locales

by Michael Ollinger, Joanne Guthrie, and Audrey Peo

This report examines how school meal costs vary by volume of purchases and the characteristics of school food authorities (SFA) such as location and purchasing practices.

Keywords: National School Lunch Program, NSLP, School Breakfast Program, SBP, school food purchase costs, school meal costs, school purchasing practices, School Food Authorities, SFA, SFA characteristics, SFA locations, low-income children

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Report summary