The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide nutritionally balanced meals to students in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential childcare programs across the country. Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the NSLP/SBP allows students whose families meet certain income requirements to receive breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks at a free or reduced price.

Healthy school meals play an essential role in helping students thrive in and out of the classroom. Students who participate in school breakfast for example show improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance, as well as decreased tardiness.* A school breakfast and lunch provide a minimum of USDA’s daily recommended dietary allowance for key nutrients (25% and over 30% respectively). 

*Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).  "Breakfast for Learning." Oct. 2016.


All students enrolled in Mount Vernon City schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to them or their families. This service is funded through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), part of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. There are no applications associated with the program, which eliminates the hassle of paperwork submissions for both parents and school administration. All students enrolled in the Mount Vernon City School District will be able to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch free of charge in the 2023-24 school year. There will be no need to apply or pay a fee for this program.