Programs, Promotions & Initiatives

U.S. Department of Agriculture Programs

• The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced lunches to school-aged children. VDOE administers the NSLP at the state level, and school divisions operate the program at the local level through agreements with VDOE. Participating school divisions receive USDA cash subsidies and donated commodities for each meal served that meets federal nutrition standards – one third of daily recommended levels of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and calories – and must provide free and reduced-price lunches to eligible children.
  
  
• The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious breakfast meals to students. The U. S. Department of Agriculture administers this program at the Federal level. VDOE administers the program at the state level and school divisions administer the program at the local level. Breakfast menus must provide one-fourth of the daily recommended levels for protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calories. Participating schools must serve breakfasts that meet Federal nutrition standards – one quarter of daily recommended levels of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and calories – and must provide free and reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children.
  
  
• Participating NSLP schools may sponsor an afterschool snack program if they provide children with scheduled educational or enrichment activities after the school day. Schools receive reimbursement for snacks served to students. Snacks must contain at least two of the following four components: milk; meat/meat alternate; vegetable, fruit or full-strength juice; and whole-grain or enriched bread/ cereal. The program must be operated by the local school nutrition program to qualify for reimbursement.
  
  
• Participating NSLP schools may apply to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program which is intended to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices; expand the variety of fruits and vegetables students experience; increase students' fruit and vegetable consumption; and make a difference in students' diets to impact their present and future health.
  
  
• Participating NSLP and SBP schools have the opportunity to feed students during academic summer school sessions through both the Summer National School Lunch Program and the Summer School Breakfast Program. Local school divisions may elect to participate in the programs during academic summer school sessions. All program regulations, meal requirements and funding are the same as the NSLP and SBP offered during the regular school year.
  
  
• The Summer Food Service Program is designed to give students in the community access to the nutritious, well-balanced meals they receive throughout the regular school year. Administered in Virginia by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Food Programs, the program allows sponsors to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program in areas where 50 percent of the children in the community are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

USDA Non-discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call, toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Other School Nutrition Initiatives

• Virginia's Nutrition and Physical Activity Award Program promotes health and wellness in the Commonwealth's public schools by encouraging good nutrition and increased physical activity. Schools are encouraged to adopt the nutritional standards and use the Scorecard for the Governor’s Nutrition & Physical Activity Award for recognition of schools for encouraging healthy habits. These nutritional standards include guidelines for competitive foods – defined as a food or beverage that is not part of the school breakfast or school lunch meal – that are sold or made available on school grounds during the regular school day. Competitive foods nutritional guidelines include, but are not limited to, the following standards per serving: at least five percent of the daily value for one of eight essential nutrients; less than 300 calories; no more than 30 percent of calories from fat; no more than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat; and less than 35 percent by weight being sugar.
  
  
  • Sample of the online Scorecard (PDF), including the nutritional guidelines for competitive foods.
  • A Nutrition Standards Assessment Tool (XLS) has also been developed to assist schools in evaluating specific food products to determine if they meet the nutrition standards of the Scorecard by entering information from the product's Nutrition Facts label into the spreadsheet.
  • Winner's Circle includes a list of schools that have earned the Governor's Awards.
    
    
• Healthy Virginians: Healthy Students initiative was launched to assist in creating a healthy school environment by fostering better nutritional and physical environments for students.
  
  
• USDA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Office – Contact for information regarding:
  • Private schools interested in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
    
    
• Virginia Department of Health – Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Food Programs (1-877-618-7282). Contact for information regarding:
  • Child and Adult-Care Food Program 
  • Summer Food Service Program