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Child Nutrition Information

Child Nutrition > Programs > National School Lunch Program

 

National School Lunch Program

Beginning July 1, 2012 the National School Lunch Program has a new food based meal pattern!

National School Lunch New Meal Pattern Requirements

 

National School Lunch New Meal Pattern

Amount of Food Per Week (Minimum Per Day)

K-5

 
K-8
6-8
9-12

Fruit (cups)

 
2 1/2 (1/2)
2 1/2 (1/2)
2 1/2 (1/2)
5 (1)

Vegetables (cups)

 
3 3/4 (3/4)
3 3/4 (3/4)
3 3/4 (3/4)
5 (1)

Dark Green

 
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2

Red/Orange

 
3/4
3/4
3/4
1 1/4

Beans/Peas/Legumes

 
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2

Starchy

 
1/2
1/2
1/2
3/4

Other

 
1/2
1/2
1/2
1 1/2

Additional Veg to Reach Total

 
1
1
1

Grains* (oz eq)

 
8 (1)
8 (1)
8 (1)
10 (2)

Meat/Meat Alternates (oz eq)

 
8 (1)
9 (1)
9 (1)
10 (2)
Fluid Milk (cups)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)

 

Other Specifications: Daily Amount Based on the Average for a 5-Day Week

 

Min-Max Calories

 

 

550-650

 

600-650

600-700

 

750-850

Saturated Fat (% of total calories)

 
<10
<10
<10
<10

Sodium (mg) (SY 2014-2015)

 
<1230
<1230
<1360
<1420
Trans Fat: Nutrition label or manufacturer specifications must indicate zero grams of trans fat per serving.
 
*Half of all grains served will be whole grain rich in SY 2013-2014

 

Menu Planning Tools:

Vegetable Subgroups

USDA Recipes

Menu Planning Tool (provided by USDA)

Calculating Weekly Minimums for Grains/Meat

Long and Short Week Calculations

Sample Menus

Crediting Guidance:

Crediting Food Guide

Youtube Videos

Food Buying Guide

Grain Memo with Updated Grain Chart

CN Labeling Guidance

 

State of Maine New Meal Pattern Resources:

New Meal Pattern, Production Records, and OVS webinar (60 minutes)

New Meal Pattern Implementation Presentation

 

New Meal Pattern Production Records:

Grades K-5

Grades K-8

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

Sample Fruit and Vegetable Bar Record

 

 

Federal Guidance Regarding the New Meal Pattern:

Revised Questions and Answers on New Meal Pattern

Final Regulations

Implementation Timeline

Policy Memos

USDA's New Menu Standards

Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Summary Chart of Sections of HHFKA

National School Lunch Regulations

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses:

 

Do I have to serve lunch every school day?

Yes, the agreement the superintendent signs states lunch will be served each day.

Does this include early release days?

Yes it is considered a school day

What about Saturday if school is operating?

If it is a required school day for all students then lunch will be offered.

Is the NSLP offered if a school allows students to obtain bag lunch after dismissal to take home?

A self serve /bag lunch is not acceptable as a reimbursable meal to take home. National School Lunch Meals are intended to be consumed in the school. There are exceptions to bag lunches for special events.  Contact the State Agency for guidance and approval. (FNS 786-8)

During mid-terms and finals if a high school only requires students to be in attendance to the extent of their exams and exams are two sessions in the morning, does offering lunch after the second exam meet the requirement?

The meal is offered the student can chose to leave or take part in the program. The lunch time should be scheduled as close to the regular time as possible.

What about field trips, community service days, freshman awareness program, and other programs conducted off campus? Is the school required to offer lunches to these students?

Students that are off campus at a school sponsored/structured event are still eligible to participate in the NSLP.  As long as the meals met the meal pattern requirements and are served as part of the school structured event.  The events listed in this question would qualify as a school structured event in that the students are the responsibility of the school until they get back on campus or are released at a certain time from the events. (FNS 786-8)

Does this include High School? What about early release because of inclement weather?

Yes it includes High School. In all cases I am aware of the food is being prepared when early release is determined. So yes the students should be fed. However if it becomes a real safety issue other arrangements will need to be made. Keep in mind this is a huge financial loss to the program. Product will be wasted and labor used for no meal service.

 

Other Guidance and Resources