The National School Lunch Program

Author

Elizabeth Strasser, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences

Abstract

The National School Lunch (NSLP) Program is a federally assisted meal program that began in 1946 and is designed to provide nutritionally balanced lunches to children. The program started slowly in 1853, in a few school districts around the United States. The efforts spread throughout different cities, and organizations were set in place to serve meals to children in schools under the supervision of the school boards.

The American Dietetic Association believes that all children and adolescents should have access to food and nutrition programs that ensure adequate food supply that promotes optimal physical. and social growth and development.

School lunches must meet the recommendations put into place by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Some of the recommendations are that no more than 30% of calories should come from fat, and less than 10% from saturated fat.

There are many challenges that schools face pertaining to the school lunch program. Some schools have found solutions to these problems such as providing nutrition education for students and teaching students to make healthy choices.

The school lunch program was put into place to help provide adequate nutrition to children and adolescents. The school lunch program has worked with health care professionals to provide balanced meals to students.

Recommended Citation

Strasser, Elizabeth, "The National School Lunch Program" (2006). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 760.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/760