National School Lunch Programs (NSLP)

School Breakfast Program (SBP)

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. The SBP started in 1966 as a pilot project, and was made a permanent entitlement program by Congress in 1975.

After School Snack Program (ASSP)

This federally assisted program operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. To participate, a school district must run the National School Lunch Program and sponsor or operate an afterschool care program that provides children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in a supervised environment.

Special Milk Program (SMP)

Authorized by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, this program provides milk free of charge or at a low cost to children in schools and childcare institutions that do not participate in other federal child nutrition meal service programs. Schools are reimbursed for the milk they serve.

Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also Participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre- kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FF&VP)

This federally assisted program provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day, at times outside lunch and breakfast. Priority is given to schools with the highest percentage of children certified as eligible for free and reduced price meals, to give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.

Seamless Summer Option

School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the NSLP or SBP are eligible to apply for the Seamless Summer Option. Seamless Summer Option makes it easier for schools to feed children during the traditional summer vacation periods and, for year-round schools, long school vacation periods. Once approved through their governing state agency, SFAs serve meals free of charge to children, 18 years and under, from low-income areas.