The School Food Service (SFS) Department oversees the implementation of four Child Nutrition Programs: School Breakfast Program (SBP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). On average, the SFS Department serves approximately 160,516 meals daily through these programs.

All four of the Child Nutrition Programs are governed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the federal level. In 2011, the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness transferred to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Under this new leadership, School Food Authorities in Florida have a direct alignment with the Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam. Currently, there are only three states in the United States where the Food and Nutrition Programs are overseen by the State’s Department of Agriculture.

Since Child Nutrition Programs are federally assisted, children may qualify for free and reduced price meals. This qualification is based on household income. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130-185% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. All students across the nation who qualify for reduced-price meals are charged 40 cents for lunch. In Palm Beach County, the number of students qualifying for free and reduced price meals continues to increase. Simultaneously, participation in all Child Nutrition Programs increases as well. At the end of the 2013-2014 school year 57% of the schools’ population qualified for meal benefits.

During the 2013-2014 school year, the School Food Service Department served over 16.5 million lunches and 7.9 million breakfasts.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is operating in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. Since its inception, more than 224 billion nutritionally balanced and low-cost or free lunches have been served!

The SFS Department is evaluating two programs that have the possibility to positively impact students in various schools throughout the District. With the passing of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the NSLP now includes a new universal meal program. The Community Eligibility Program permits eligible schools to provide meal service to all students at no charge, regardless of economic status.