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National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Overview

apple and carrot

The NSLP is a federally-assisted meal program operating in more than 94,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions (RCCIs). It was established under the National School Lunch Act and signed by President Harry Truman in 1946 and provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 30 million children each school day.

School Nutrition Team Mission Statement: To ensure a strong nutritional foundation that supports learning and development for all students through statewide leadership, guidance, partnership, and advocacy.

 

For menu planning tools, visit the Menu Planning webpage.

To make an online claim, visit the Claiming webpage.

National School Lunch Week (October 14-18, 2024)

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Around the World in 80 Trays (January 20-24, 2025)

around the world in 80 trays logo

Around the World in 80 Trays is a state-wide event with the purpose of increasing international flavors in USDA School Meals Programs! DPI would like to acknowledge that food can do more than just nourish the body, but it can offer an invitation to explore the diverse cultures of Wisconsin students.

Join the School Nutrition Team and schools/districts across the state in this week-long culinary adventure, kicking off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2025. What better way to celebrate the unique cultural backgrounds of students across the state than by remembering the legacy of MLK Jr. and his dream of equality and inclusion for all. Please visit the Around the World in 80 Trays webpage to learn more about this event.

School Lunch Hero Day (May 3, 2024)

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Program Support

  • MyPlate Guide To School Lunch (USDA) For families, this infographic highlights how a variety of healthy foods from each MyPlate food group are included as part of a school lunch

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