Tag: Community eligibility provision

According to the Food Research & Action Center, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided 4.9 billion meals to more than 27 million children in 2022 alone, raising the question: Who funds school lunches in the US and how is this massive effort managed?. This complex system involves multiple layers of government, special provisions for high-needs areas, and other creative revenue streams to ensure students have access to nutritious meals.

In March 2025, the USDA canceled approximately $1 billion in funding for programs that sourced local food for schools and food banks, leaving many to wonder: are school lunches being cut?. The answer is complex, involving the expiration of temporary pandemic-era programs, new funding cuts, and contentious policy proposals that vary significantly by location.

According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), nearly 29.4 million children participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) on an average day during the 2023–2024 school year. This article explores what percentage of students get school lunch and the factors influencing program participation across the nation.