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The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues

Author

Listed:
  • Ralston, Katherine L.
  • Newman, Constance
  • Clauson, Annette L.
  • Guthrie, Joanne F.
  • Buzby, Jean C.

Abstract

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the Nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program. In 2006, it operated in over 101,000 public and nonprofit private schools and provided over 28 million low-cost or free lunches to children on a typical school day at a Federal cost of $8 billion for the year. This report provides background information on the NSLP, including historical trends and participant characteristics. It also addresses steps being taken to meet challenges facing administrators of the program, including tradeoffs between nutritional quality of foods served, costs, and participation, as well as between program access and program integrity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralston, Katherine L. & Newman, Constance & Clauson, Annette L. & Guthrie, Joanne F. & Buzby, Jean C., 2008. "The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues," Economic Research Report 56464, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersrr:56464
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.56464
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philip M. Gleason & Carol W. Suitor, 2003. "Eating at School: How the National School Lunch Program Affects Children's Diets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 85(4), pages 1047-1061.
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    3. Barbara Wagner & Benjamin Senauer & C. Ford Runge, 2007. "An Empirical Analysis of and Policy Recommendations to Improve the Nutritional Quality of School Meals," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 29(4), pages 672-688.
    4. Sharon K. Long, 1991. "Do the School Nutrition Programs Supplement Household Food Expenditures?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 26(4), pages 654-678.
    5. Hanson, Kenneth, "undated". "Importance Of Child Nutrition Programs To Agriculture: Food Assistance Research Brief," Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Reports 262251, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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