At a glance
- School meal programs offer students access to nutritious meals which are shown to improve dietary intake and are associated with better attendance and academic outcomes.
- Schools can boost participation in school meals by offering appealing meals, promoting menu choices, and providing sufficient time for students to eat their meal.
Overview
What are School Meal Programs?
Many schools offer meals to students through federal school meal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The US Department of Agriculture and state agencies run these programs and pay schools back for serving healthy meals that meet federal nutrition standards.
Who can participate in School Meal Programs?
All students can participate in school meal programs, and some students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
What are the benefits of School Meals?
School meals are nutritious. Research shows that students who participate in school meal programs consume more whole grains, milk, fruits, and vegetables during meal times and have better overall diet quality, than nonparticipants. And, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates and better test scores. Meals served through these programs must meet specific nutrition requirements which include fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
Schools can encourage students to participate in school meal programs by:
- Providing meals that are nutritious and appealing.
- Obtaining input from students and parents about items they would like to see served in the meals.
- Ensuring that students have adequate time to eat their meals (at least 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch).
- Preventing the overt identification of students who are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
Healthy School Meals for All
- The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends offering free school meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, or both) to all students in a qualifying school, regardless of household income (i.e., Healthy School Meals for All) to increase participation in federal school meal programs and reduce school absenteeism.
What about meals and snacks when students are out of school?
- Programs like the National School Lunch Program's Afterschool Snack Service, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offer financial support to provide children and youth with nutritious snacks and meals. CACFP and SFSP specifically reach children from low-income areas.
- School food service departments have experience following food safety and nutrition guidelines. This makes them strong candidates for serving as a CACFP or SFSP sponsor.
Resources
Description of school meal programs and links to regulations, policy memos, and technical assistance resources.
Community Preventative Services Task Force review and recommendation to support programs that provide school meals to all students.
Trainings, tools, and resources for school food service personnel.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Searchable database of guidance and resources for school meals, including sample menus and recipes, information on how to simplify the purchasing process, and strategies to prepare and promote healthy foods and beverages. Free registration is needed to access these resources.
Provides AmeriCorps leaders in schools to teach students about nutrition, gardening, and cooking and to help support healthy school meals.
Food Research and Action Center
Data and reports on school meals and school wellness.
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- Fox MK, Gearan E, Cabili C, et al. School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study, Final Report Volume 4: Student Participation, Satisfaction, Plate Waste, and Dietary Intakes. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support; 2019. https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-nutrition-and-meal-cost-study
- Gearan EC, Fox MK. Updated nutrition standards have significantly improved the nutritional quality of school lunches and breakfasts. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020;120(3):363–370.
- Kinderknecht K, Harris C, Jones-Smith J. Association of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act with dietary quality among children in the US National School Lunch Program. JAMA. 2020;324(4):359–368.
- Murphy JM, Pagano ME, Nachmani J, Sperling P, Kane S, Kleinman RE. The relationship of school breakfast to psychosocial and academic functioning: cross-sectional and longitudinal observations in an inner-city school sample. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 1998;152:899–907.
- Murphy JM, Pagano M, Bishop SJ. Impact of a universally-free, in-classroom school breakfast program on achievement: result from the Abell Foundation’s Baltimore Breakfast Challenge Program. Massachusetts General Hospital; 2001.
- Murphy JM, Drake JE, Weineke KM. Academics and Breakfast Connection Pilot: final report on New York’s classroom breakfast project. Nutrition Consortium of New York; 2005. Accessed August 30, 2024. https://www.gotbreakfast.org/news/NYS_bkfastinclass_studyresults_ABCfinal.pdf
- Myers AF, Sampson AE, Weitzman M, Rogers BL, Kayne H. School Breakfast Program and school performance. Am J Dis Child. 1989;143(10):1234–1239.