Colorado School Nutrition Programs
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the oldest and largest of the Child Nutrition Programs, celebrating 50 years in 1996. It is a federally assisted meal program that provides balanced, low-cost or free lunches to thousands of children in Colorado each day.
Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has made it possible for schools to serve appealing lunches designed to meet the needs of children. In recent years, concerns have emerged regarding the overall nutritional content of school meals. These concerns address findings that the diet of Americans has changed from being low in nutrients and adequate in calories to containing an overabundance of calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. At the same time, Americans eat too few grains, fruits and vegetables. A good diet can help to reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases and promote good health and well being.
The USDA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children underscores our national responsibility to provide healthy school meals that are consistent with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides a nutritious morning meal. This program is recognized as one of the most beneficial of the federal nutrition programs. It meets a vital need of feeding thousands of children in Colorado, who otherwise may not eat a nutritious breakfast. Participation in the program has been shown to improve learning and test performance. Specific "meal patterns" are required in the SBP, and Schools that participate in the SBP receive funding assistance similar to the National School Lunch Program.
SPECIAL MILK PROGRAM
The Special Milk Program (SMP) offers milk to children who do not have access to the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. This includes preschool and kindergarten children attending split-session schools or children attending summer or year-round camps. Participating schools and institutions receive financial assistance for each half-pint of milk served.
AFTERSCHOOL CARE SNACK PROGRAM
The intent of the Afterschool Care Snack Program is to assist schools that operate
organized programs of care, which include education and enrichment activities known
to help reduce or prevent children’s involvement in juvenile crime or other high risk behavior,
by providing snacks. Eligible programs serving snacks to children that meet USDA
requirements may be claimed for reimbursement.
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children 18 years and younger during the summer or other continuous school calendar vacation programs. Free meals are provided to all children at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. SFSP sponsoring organizations are operated by public and private nonprofit school authorities, public or private, nonprofit residential and nonresidential camps, local, municipal, county or state governments, public or private colleges or universities participating in the National Youth Sports Program and private, nonprofit organizations.
For additional information, E-Mail: nutrition@cde.state.co.us