School Nutrition Program Timeline

  • The School Nutrition Act created

    President Harry S. Truman
  • Act Description

    Even though the school lunch program had been around before this time, the act created a measure for all schools. This act also ensured that the schools would receive allotments of USDA agriculture and meat.
  • $2.72 per meal for the free lunch program.

  • President Obama reauthorized the Hunger-Free Kids Act.

    This act provides more funding for school lunch program
  • Change in qualification

    To be able to qualify for this program, the income of the household must be at 130% of the national poverty level which was $23,800 in 2010. Reduced price meals are available for some families with slightly higher incomes.
  • In Progress

    As the School Nutrition Program gained steam along with financial backing from the government, more schools received the funding needed to provide meals to students.
  • Pt. 1 of finalization

    School breakfasts and lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.
  • Pt. 2 of finalization

    In addition, breakfasts must provide one-fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calories. The decisions about which foods to serve and how they should be prepared are made by local school food authorities.