Schools are allowed to choose what they serve for food to children, but that food must meet minimal standards. They must have no more than 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance of fat, with less than 10 percent of the recommended saturated fat; they must provide almost one-third of the daily allowance of protein, vitamin A, iron, calcium and calories.
Schools in the NLSP program must follow one of four systems when planning menus for children: Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, traditional meals and enhanced meals. Both Nutrient Standard and Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu use computer programs to help generate weekly menus, while traditional and enhanced plans may be planned the old-fashioned way -- by writing them down. In all instances, the plans must include a certain amount of meat or accepted alternatives, milk, fruit and vegetables, and bread and other grain-based products.
For a child to be eligible for a free or reduced-cost meal, her family must meet income criteria. Children from families with incomes of 130 percent or less of the national poverty level qualify for free lunches; those with income of 130 to 185 percent of the poverty level may receive reduced-price meals.
Schools taking part in NLSP are reimbursed in large part through cash payments, which vary by the type of meal. Schools also are eligible to receive a wide range of foods, at huge savings, directly from USDA. Such foods can include everything from fruits and vegetables to meats, cooking oils and grain products.