In 1946, Congress passed the National School Lunch Act which had as part of it's stated purpose "to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nations children." Over the years, Congress has made updates to the legislation including the expansion of the program to offer breakfast and after school snack programs which meet certain federal guidelines.
Currently the USDA requirements for a school lunch based on analysis of a week's meals must contain no more than 30% calories from fat, 10% from saturated fat and provide 1/3 of the day's requirements for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium. Breakfast programs must meet similar guidelines but only need to provide 1/4 day's requirements for the same nutrients. Meals which meet the criteria set by USDA are defined as reimbursable meals.
At lunch meals are made up of 5 components (milk, fruit/vegetable (2 servings), meat/meat alternate and bread/grain).
At breakfast, the 4 required food items are: milk; juice/fruit/vegetable (full strength fruit or vegetable juice); and 2 servings of grains/breads or 2 servings of meat/meat alternate or 1 serving of grains/breads and 1 serving of meat/meat alternate or equivalent combination of both of these components.
Students must be offered all required components at each meal.
For additional information on Offer versus Serve go to the USDA website.
