Food & Nutrition

National School Lunch Program

Our greatest resource as Pennsylvanians is our students – they are our future leaders, and we must ensure that we give them the tools they need to succeed, and that includes a healthy lunch. 

Numerous scientific studies have suggested a strong link between child nutrition and learning, which supports the importance of the availability of school meal programs. If kids don’t have a full stomach, they simply cannot do their best.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nutritious meals to millions of children nationwide each school day. Pennsylvania served more than 168 million school lunches during the 2018-19 school year. These healthy meals help enhance our children's readiness to learn.

The NSLP is a federal and state reimbursement program for each meal served that meets federal requirements. All NSLP sponsors are required to offer free and reduced-price lunches to eligible children. Reimbursement rates are established annually by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Sponsors are entitled to receive USDA commodities for each lunch they serve. The variety of commodities sponsors may receive depends on product availability and market prices.

Any public school, intermediate unit, charter school, area vocational technical or career technology school, public residential child care institution, and tax exempt non-public school or residential child care institution may apply to be an NSLP sponsor.

Students in households with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for free lunches at participating schools.

Beginning the 2023-2024 School Year, all students who are eligible for reduced price meals and attend Pennsylvania schools that operate the NSLP receive their meal at no cost. Students in households whose income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced price lunches at participating schools.

Click here to access federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced price school meals  for the current school year, as released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually, that are effective from July 1 through June 30 every year. USDA’s income eligibility guidelines are released annually and are used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals. They are effective from July 1 through June 30 every school year.

Beginning the 2023-2024 School Year, all students who are eligible for reduced price meals and attend Pennsylvania schools that operate the NSLP receive their meal at no cost. 

To qualify for reimbursement, all NSLP lunches must meet federal nutrition requirements. School lunches must offer foods from the five required components that include whole or enriched grain, fruit, vegetable, meat/meat alternate, and fluid milk. Serving sizes vary based on the grade level of the students. Decisions about the specific foods to serve and the methods of preparation are made by local school food authorities.

To apply, households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) need only include the SNAP or TANF case number on their application. Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals and should complete a Free and Reduced Price Meal Application. Other households can find more information on Pennsylvania’s COMPASS website or by contacting their local school or district.

Food Service Equipment Grant Awards

​SDs​
County
Amount​
Aliquippa sdBeaver$44,400.00
Aliquippa sd
Beaver$44,400.00
Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit 27Beaver
$15,500.00
Chartiers Valley sdAllegheny$38,716.00
Fort Cherry sdWashington$6,764.00
Harrisburg City sdDauphin$12,799.78
Harrisburg City sdDauphin$44,035.33
Hopewell Area sdBeaver$33,500.00
Mastery CS-Smedley CampusPhiladelphia$25,793.14
McGuffey sdWashington$21,819.00
Milton Area sdNorthumberland$77,905.00
Minersville Area sdSchuylkill$35,500.00
Minersville Area sdSchuylkill$27,530.09
North Clarion County sdClarion$37,782.50
Pittsburgh sdAllegheny$40,222.00
Pittsburgh sdAllegheny$40,222.00
Propel CS-HomesteadAllegheny$31,529.80
Propel CS-HomesteadAllegheny$22,153.89
Purchase Line sdIndiana$44,430.00
Purchase Line sdIndiana$38,680.00
Philadelphia city sdPhiladelphia$16,500.00
Philadelphia city sdPhiladelphia$16,500.00
St. Joan of Arc SchoolDauphin
$50,026.00
Tunkhannock Area sdWyoming$25,399.19
Tunkhannock Area sdWyoming$25,927.68
Western Beaver County sdBeaver$24,185.00
Carlynton sdAllegheny$41,879.58
Elk Lake sdSusquehanna$9,269.91
Elk Lake sdSusquehanna$9,269.91
Salisbury Township sdLehigh$21,184.48
Clarion-Limestone Area sdClarion$13,413.72​

 

County
Agency/LEA
School Building NameEquipment RequestedAmount
BeaverAliquippa School DistrictAliquippa Junior Senior High SchoolBlast Chiller Freezer$14,952.00
BeaverAliquippa School DistrictAliquippa Elementary SchoolTilting Kettle$35,225.00
ClarionAllegheny-Clarion Valley School DistrictAllegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary SchoolSteamer, Dual-Pressure, Gas$49,870.43
ClarionAllegheny-Clarion Valley School DistrictAllegheny-Clarion Valley High SchoolSteamer, Dual-Pressure, Gas$49,870.43
ArmstrongApollo-Ridge School DistrictApollo-Ridge High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$45,360.00
ArmstrongApollo-Ridge School DistrictApollo-Ridge Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$51,128.00
CentreBald Eagle Area School DistrictWingate Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$44,910.00
BedfordBedford Area School DistrictBedford Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$25,200.00
BerksBrandywine Heights Area School DistrictBrandywine Heights Elementary SchoolHeated Warmer/Holding Cabinet$5,905.13
BerksBrandywine Heights Area School DistrictBrandywine Heights High SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$28,700.00
BucksBristol Township School DistrictNeil Armstrong Middle SchoolHeated Holding Cabinet$2,807.36
JeffersonBrockway Area School DistrictBrockway Area Junior Senior High SchoolConveyor Oven, Electric$16,248.00
JeffersonBrockway Area School DistrictBrockway Area Elementary SchoolConveyor Oven, Electric$16,248.00
JeffersonBrookville Area School DistrictPinecreek Elementary SchoolHeated Holding Cabinet$6,566.00
JeffersonBrookville Area School DistrictNorthside Elementary SchoolHeated Holding Cabinet$6,566.00
BucksBucks County Technical High SchoolBuck County Technical High SchoolConvection Oven, Countertop$1,392.85
ButlerButler Area School DistrictBroad Street ElementaryConvection Oven, Electric$10,394.00
ButlerButler Area School DistrictMcQuistion Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$10,394.00
DauphinRoman Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg PA IncParadise SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$9,042.00
WashingtonCharleroi School DistrictCharleroi Area High SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$43,997.00
ChesterChester County Intermediate Unit 24TCHS Pickering CampusReach-in Dual Temp Cabinet$14,500.00
BedfordChestnut Ridge School DistrictChestnut Ridge Middle SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$24,234.00
BedfordChestnut Ridge School DistrictChestnut Ridge Central ElementaryTilting Kettle, Electric$25,324.00
ClarionClarion Area School DistrictClarion Area Junior Senior High SchoolPass Thru Refrigerator$18,199.00
ChesterCoatesville Area School DistrictCaln Elementary SchoolMilk Cooler$4,337.51
MontgomeryColonial School DistrictConshohocken Elementary SchoolReach-in Freezer$6,926.52
MercerCommodore Perry School DistrictCommodore Perry Junior Senior High SchoolDishwasher$42,344.89
YorkCrispus Attucks Youthbuild Charter SchoolCrispus Attucks Youth Build Charter SchoolReach-in Freezer$4,044.00
LackawannaCareer Technology Center of Lackawanna CountyCTC of Lackawanna CountyCountertop Kettle, Electric$22,149.44
ClearfieldCurwensville Area School DistrictCurwensville Area Elementary SchoolOpen Display Merchandiser$6,364.75
MonroeEast Stroudsburg Area School DistrictSmithfield Elementary SchoolRoll-Thru Heated Cabinet$8,734.80
MonroeEast Stroudsburg Area School DistrictEast Stroudsburg Senior High School NorthConvection Steamer, Electric$20,295.00
LancasterEphrata Area School DistrictClay Elementary SchoolBlast Chiller Freezer$9,667.39
LancasterEphrata Area School DistrictHighland Elementary SchoolBlast Chiller Freezer$9,667.39
FranklinFannett-Metal School DistrictFannett-Metal Senior High SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$9,160.82
ForestForest Area School DistrictEast Forest Junior Senior High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$19,748.00
ForestForest Area School DistrictWest Forest Junior Senior High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$19,748.00
SusquehannaForest City Regional School DistrictForest City Regional High SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$26,915.00
WashingtonFort Cherry School DistrictFort Cherry Junior Senior High SchoolDishwasher$52,600.00
ButlerFreeport Area School DistrictSouth Buffalo Elementary SchoolBooster Heater, Electric$4,841.00
ButlerFreeport Area School DistrictFreeport Area Senior High SchoolPlanetary Mixer$6,750.00
DelawareGarnet Valley School DistrictGarnet Valley Middle SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$11,350.00
MercerGeorge Junior Republic in PAGeorge JR Republic in PATilting Braising Pan, Gas$21,343.10
WestmorelandGreater Latrobe School DistrictMountain View Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$28,601.00
PhiladelphiaHarambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter SchoolHarambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter SchoolWalk-in Freezer$24,175.00
IndianaHomer-Center School DistrictHomer-Center Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$37,611.59
IndianaHomer-Center School DistrictHomer-Center Junior Senior High SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$37,611.59
ElkJohnsonburg Area School DistrictJohnsonburg Area High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$21,398.00
ArmstrongLeechburg Area School DistrictDavid Leech Elementary SchoolMobile Heated Cabinet$6,208.50
WashingtonMcGuffey School DistrictClaysville ElementaryElectric Steamer$20,620.58
NorthumberlandMilton Area School DistrictMilton Area Senior High SchoolConvection Steamer, Gas$25,974.00
NorthumberlandMilton Area School DistrictWhite Deer Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$35,271.00
LawrenceMohawk Area School DistrictMohawk Area Senior High SchoolReach-In Refrigerator Freezer$15,334.43
LawrenceMohawk Area School DistrictMohawk Elementary SchoolMixer$1,759.00
SusquehannaMountain View School DistrictMountain View Junior Senior High SchoolDishwasher$34,741.02
AlleghenyNazareth PrepSeville SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$5,175.04
AlleghenyNazareth PrepMoon AnthonyConvection Oven, Electric$5,175.04
MontgomeryNorristown Area School DistrictHancock Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$42,145.44
MontgomeryNorristown Area School DistrictWhitehall Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$42,145.44
ClarionNorth Clarion County School DistrictNorth Clarion County Junior Senior High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$39,353.00
BradfordNortheast Bradford School DistrictNortheast Bradford Elementary SchoolConvection Steamer, Electric$21,810.36
BradfordNortheast Bradford School DistrictNortheast Bradford Junior Senior High SchoolDishwasher$39,267.49
WestmorelandNorwin School DistrictNorwin Middle School WestCombi Oven, Gas$36,511.70
WestmorelandNorwin School DistrictNorwin Senior High SchoolReach-In Refrigerator$1,549.00
PotterOswayo Valley School DistrictOswayo Valley Elementary SchoolDishwasher$24,650.00
PotterOswayo Valley School DistrictOswayo Valley Junior Senior High SchoolStationary Kettle, Gas$18,810.00
CarbonPalmerton Area School DistrictS.S. Palmer Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$8,708.92
CarbonPalmerton Area School DistrictParkside Education CenterRoll-Thru Refrigerator$7,744.74
LebanonPalmyra Area School DistrictPalmyra Area Middle SchoolConveyor Oven, Gas$26,782.88
IndianaPenns Manor Area School DistrictPenns Manor Area Junior Senior High SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$12,115.00
CentrePenns Valley Area School DistrictCentre Hall - Potter Elementary SchoolDishwasher$32,700.00
ClearfieldPentz Run Youth Services IncorporatedPentz Run Youth ServicesReach-in Freezer$7,022.99
PhiladelphiaSchool District of PhiladelphiaDeburgos Bilingual Magnet Middle SchoolIndoor Walk-in Refrigeration$18,700.00
ChesterPhoenixville Area School DistrictPhoenixville Area Middle SchoolSandwich/Panini Grill$10,395.00
ChesterPhoenixville Area School DistrictBarkley Elementary SchoolReach-in Refrigerator$7,765.31
AlleghenyPittsburgh School DistrictGreenfield Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$13,500.00
AlleghenyPittsburgh School DistrictFulton Academy of Science (Fulton Academy of Geo and Life Sciences)Convection Oven, Electric$13,500.00
LuzernePittston Area School DistrictPittston Area Senior High SchoolDishwasher$128,439.00
LuzernePittston Area School DistrictPittston Area Middle SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$10,077.40
MonroePleasant Valley School DistrictPleasant Valley Middle SchoolConvection Steamer, Electric$21,420.52
AlleghenyPlum Borough School DistrictPlum Middle SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$28,601.00
MonroePocono Mountain School DistrictTobyhanna Elementary CenterCombi Oven, Electric$20,404.00
MonroePocono Mountain School DistrictClear Run Elementary CenterCombi Oven, Electric$20,825.00
SchuylkillPottsville Area School DistrictD.H.H. Lengel Middle SchoolHolding/Proofing Cabinet$2,589.00
AlleghenyPropel Charter School- HomesteadPropel Braddock Hills High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$24,997.00
AlleghenyPropel Charter School- HomesteadPropel Montour Middle School/High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$24,997.00
AlleghenyProvident Charter SchoolProvident Charter SchoolReach-in Freezer$8,704.00
JeffersonPunxsutawney Area School DistrictPunxsutawney Area Senior High SchoolOpen Display Merchandiser$14,037.00
JeffersonPunxsutawney Area School DistrictPunxsutawney Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$8,570.00
ClarionRedbank Valley School DistrictRedbank Valley High SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$45,188.00
IndianaRiver Valley School DistrictRiver Valley High SchoolIce Maker, Cube-Style$5,809.00
IndianaRiver Valley School DistrictSaltsburg Elementary SchoolMobile Heated Cabinet$9,669.00
BeaverRiverside Beaver County School DistrictRiverside Beaver Middle SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$10,640.00
LackawannaRiverside School DistrictRiverside Junior Senior High SchoolIndoor Freezer$30,090.11
LackawannaRiverside School DistrictRiverside Elementary School WestOutdoor Freezer$33,512.47
DelawareRose Tree Media School DistrictPenncrest High SchoolPass-Thru Freezer$11,128.53
LehighSalisbury Township School DistrictSalisbury Middle SchoolConvection Steamer, Electric$22,566.00
LehighSalisbury Township School DistrictSalisbury High SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$11,350.00
ErieSarah A Reed Childrens CenterSarah A.Reed Children's Center/Hamilton SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$20,903.55
BradfordSayre Area School DistrictSayre High SchoolDishwasher$65,356.21
SchuylkillSchuylkill Intermediate Unit 29Center for Exceptional ChildrenCombi Oven, Electric$19,625.00
MercerSharpsville Area School DistrictSharpsville Area Middle SchoolConveyor Oven, Electric$18,328.00
NorthumberlandShikellamy School DistrictPriestley ElementaryReach-in Freezer$7,440.62
CumberlandShippensburg Area School DistrictShippensburg Area Middle SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$16,499.00
McKeanSmethport Area School DistrictSmethport Area Junior Senior High SchoolOpen Display Merchandiser$9,487.35
McKeanSmethport Area School DistrictSmethport Area Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$23,943.00
GreeneSoutheastern Greene School DistrictMapletown Junior Senior High SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$24,763.00
GreeneSoutheastern Greene School DistrictBobtown Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$29,091.00
FultonSouthern Fulton School DistrictSouthern Fulton Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$22,647.21
HuntingdonSouthern Huntingdon County School DistrictSouthern Huntingdon County Junior Senior High SchoolConvection Steamer, Electric$24,047.50
MontgomerySpringfield Township School DistrictSpringfield Township Middle SchoolServing Counter, Cold$6,214.00
MontgomerySpringfield Township School DistrictSpringfield Township High SchoolOpen Display Merchandiser$17,736.28
DauphinSt Catherine Laboure SchoolSt Catherine Laboure SchoolRange$9,505.00
DauphinSt Joan of Arc SchoolSt Joan of Arc SchoolConvection Oven, Electric$21,655.00
AlleghenySteel Valley School DistrictSteel Valley Senior High SchoolConvection Steamer, Gas$24,619.00
AlleghenySteel Valley School DistrictPark Elementary SchoolConvection Oven, Gas$8,407.00
ButlerSummit AcademySummit AcademyFood Cutter, Electric$16,860.16
SchuylkillTri-Valley School DistrictHegins-Hubley ElementaryReach-in Freezer$7,325.00
WyomingTunkhannock Area School DistrictTunkhannock Area Intermediate SchoolReach in Refrigerator$11,807.85
WyomingTunkhannock Area School DistrictTunkhannock Primary Education CenterPass-Thru Dual Temp Cabinet$14,256.08
BedfordTussey Mountain School DistrictTussey Mountain Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$39,318.26
BerksTwin Valley School DistrictTwin Valley Middle SchoolConveyor Oven, Gas$26,619.00
IndianaUnited School DistrictUnited Junior Senior High SchoolDishwasher$34,626.42
WarrenWarren County School DistrictSheffield Middle SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$20,205.00
WarrenWarren County School DistrictEisenhower Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$18,332.00
AlleghenyWilkinsburg Borough School DistrictKelly Primary SchoolCombi Oven, Electric$24,997.00
BlairWilliamsburg Community School DistrictWilliamsburg Community Elementary SchoolCombi Oven, Gas$45,188.00
LawrenceWilmington Area School DistrictNew Wilmington Elementary SchoolServing Counter, Hot$13,466.00
LuzerneWyoming Area School DistrictWyoming Area Primary CenterTilting Kettle, Electric$15,867.13
LuzerneWyoming Area School DistrictWyoming Area Kindergarten CenterConvection Oven, Electric$8,684.26

​$2,750,287.78

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Food and Nutrition
607 South Drive, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-7698 or 800-331-0129

School Nutrition Program – RA-NSLP@pa.gov