Celebrate National School Lunch Week, Oct. 12–16
National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is a celebration of the federal National School Lunch Program, which provides nearly 30 million children a nutritious meal each school day.
Expanding the Reach of School Lunch
Healthy School Meals for All keeps students fed, supports high-quality school meals, and helps families stretch their budgets.
The National Healthy School Meals for All Coalition, convened by FRAC, held a virtual congressional briefing on the benefits of Healthy School Meals for All – offering all students school meals at no charge, regardless of household income.
Spotlight on the Community Eligibility Provision
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows high-poverty schools and districts to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students. Expanding access to free school meals through CEP is a key pathway to Healthy School Meals for All.
Momentum Is Building
Nine States Lead the Way
States are showing what works. Nine states – California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont – have implemented Healthy School Meals for All policies, ensuring that all children have access to the nutrition they need for a successful school day.
Raise Your Hand for Healthy School Meals for All
Congress Must Pass Healthy School Meals for All Nationwide
Urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Universal School Meals Program Act, which would create permanent nationwide Healthy School Meals for All, increase reimbursement rates for school meals, end lunch shaming, reimburse schools for meal debt, and more.
SNAP Cuts Threaten Healthy School Meals for All
Urge Congress to Repeal Historic SNAP Cuts
When children lose their SNAP benefits, they also lose their automatic eligibility for free school meals. Tell your Members of Congress to repeal the unprecedented SNAP cuts by using the FRAC Action Network to send a pre-populated email with a single click.
Research & Resources
- National School Lunch Week Digital Media Toolkit
- Healthy School Meals for All – Campaign Site
- Community Eligibility Landing Page
- Benefits of School Lunch
- School Meals are Essential for Student Health and Learning
- The Connections Between Food Insecurity, the Federal Nutrition Programs, and Student Behavior
- School District Strategies for Improving Direct Certification