The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was established through Federal legislation in 1946. Schools in Mississippi have participated in the NSLP since the beginning. The growth began after 1966, when the Child Nutrition Act became law. This legislation provided funding for needy children’s meals, guidelines for identifying the need, and a pilot breakfast program. The funding through the 1970s was more than adequate to cover costs of operating the program. Many school districts accumulated healthy fund balances during these years. In 1981 the first major budget cut occurred. Since then, the paid student’s Federal reimbursement rates, which usually increased annually, have been frozen and the value of available USDA commodities has decreased. To participate in the NSLP, a site must be recognized as an accredited school by the Mississippi Department of Education or operate as a licensed Residential Child Care Institution (RCCI).
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to states to operate non-profit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition service administers the SBP at the Federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the Program in schools.
Meal Application 23-24
- How to Apply
- Meal Application Form
- Determining and Verifying Eligibility
- Income Eligibility Guidelines
School Meals Links
- Afterschool Snack Program
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
- Free/Reduced Price Meal Application
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
- Preschool Meal Pattern
- Reimbursement Rates
- Special Milk Program
- Summer Food Service Program
- Summer Meals Capacity Builder
- USDA Policy Memos
- USDA School Breakfast Program Website
- USDA School Lunch Program Website
- USDA School Meal FAQs