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 sd | Beaver | $44,400.00 |
Aliquippa sd | Beaver | $44,400.00 |
Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit 27 | Beaver | $15,500.00 |
Chartiers Valley sd | Allegheny | $38,716.00 |
Fort Cherry sd | Washington | $6,764.00 |
Harrisburg City sd | Dauphin | $12,799.78 |
Harrisburg City sd | Dauphin | $44,035.33 |
Hopewell Area sd | Beaver | $33,500.00 |
Mastery CS-Smedley Campus | Philadelphia | $25,793.14 |
McGuffey sd | Washington | $21,819.00 |
Milton Area sd | Northumberland | $77,905.00 |
Minersville Area sd | Schuylkill | $35,500.00 |
Minersville Area sd | Schuylkill | $27,530.09 |
North Clarion County sd | Clarion | $37,782.50 |
Pittsburgh sd | Allegheny | $40,222.00 |
Pittsburgh sd | Allegheny | $40,222.00 |
Propel CS-Homestead | Allegheny | $31,529.80 |
Propel CS-Homestead | Allegheny | $22,153.89 |
Purchase Line sd | Indiana | $44,430.00 |
Purchase Line sd | Indiana | $38,680.00 |
Philadelphia city sd | Philadelphia | $16,500.00 |
Philadelphia city sd | Philadelphia | $16,500.00 |
St. Joan of Arc School | Dauphin | $50,026.00 |
Tunkhannock Area sd | Wyoming | $25,399.19 |
Tunkhannock Area sd | Wyoming | $25,927.68 |
Western Beaver County sd | Beaver | $24,185.00 |
Carlynton sd | Allegheny | $41,879.58 |
Elk Lake sd | Susquehanna | $9,269.91 |
Elk Lake sd | Susquehanna | $9,269.91 |
Salisbury Township sd | Lehigh | $21,184.48 |
Clarion-Limestone Area sd | Clarion | $13,413.72 |
County | Agency/LEA | School Building Name | Equipment Requested | Amount |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beaver | Aliquippa School District | Aliquippa Junior Senior High School | Blast Chiller Freezer | $14,952.00 |
Beaver | Aliquippa School District | Aliquippa Elementary School | Tilting Kettle | $35,225.00 |
Clarion | Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District | Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elementary School | Steamer, Dual-Pressure, Gas | $49,870.43 |
Clarion | Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District | Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School | Steamer, Dual-Pressure, Gas | $49,870.43 |
Armstrong | Apollo-Ridge School District | Apollo-Ridge High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $45,360.00 |
Armstrong | Apollo-Ridge School District | Apollo-Ridge Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $51,128.00 |
Centre | Bald Eagle Area School District | Wingate Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $44,910.00 |
Bedford | Bedford Area School District | Bedford Elementary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $25,200.00 |
Berks | Brandywine Heights Area School District | Brandywine Heights Elementary School | Heated Warmer/Holding Cabinet | $5,905.13 |
Berks | Brandywine Heights Area School District | Brandywine Heights High School | Combi Oven, Gas | $28,700.00 |
Bucks | Bristol Township School District | Neil Armstrong Middle School | Heated Holding Cabinet | $2,807.36 |
Jefferson | Brockway Area School District | Brockway Area Junior Senior High School | Conveyor Oven, Electric | $16,248.00 |
Jefferson | Brockway Area School District | Brockway Area Elementary School | Conveyor Oven, Electric | $16,248.00 |
Jefferson | Brookville Area School District | Pinecreek Elementary School | Heated Holding Cabinet | $6,566.00 |
Jefferson | Brookville Area School District | Northside Elementary School | Heated Holding Cabinet | $6,566.00 |
Bucks | Bucks County Technical High School | Buck County Technical High School | Convection Oven, Countertop | $1,392.85 |
Butler | Butler Area School District | Broad Street Elementary | Convection Oven, Electric | $10,394.00 |
Butler | Butler Area School District | McQuistion Elementary School | Convection Oven, Electric | $10,394.00 |
Dauphin | Roman Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg PA Inc | Paradise School | Convection Oven, Gas | $9,042.00 |
Washington | Charleroi School District | Charleroi Area High School | Combi Oven, Gas | $43,997.00 |
Chester | Chester County Intermediate Unit 24 | TCHS Pickering Campus | Reach-in Dual Temp Cabinet | $14,500.00 |
Bedford | Chestnut Ridge School District | Chestnut Ridge Middle School | Combi Oven, Electric | $24,234.00 |
Bedford | Chestnut Ridge School District | Chestnut Ridge Central Elementary | Tilting Kettle, Electric | $25,324.00 |
Clarion | Clarion Area School District | Clarion Area Junior Senior High School | Pass Thru Refrigerator | $18,199.00 |
Chester | Coatesville Area School District | Caln Elementary School | Milk Cooler | $4,337.51 |
Montgomery | Colonial School District | Conshohocken Elementary School | Reach-in Freezer | $6,926.52 |
Mercer | Commodore Perry School District | Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School | Dishwasher | $42,344.89 |
York | Crispus Attucks Youthbuild Charter School | Crispus Attucks Youth Build Charter School | Reach-in Freezer | $4,044.00 |
Lackawanna | Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County | CTC of Lackawanna County | Countertop Kettle, Electric | $22,149.44 |
Clearfield | Curwensville Area School District | Curwensville Area Elementary School | Open Display Merchandiser | $6,364.75 |
Monroe | East Stroudsburg Area School District | Smithfield Elementary School | Roll-Thru Heated Cabinet | $8,734.80 |
Monroe | East Stroudsburg Area School District | East Stroudsburg Senior High School North | Convection Steamer, Electric | $20,295.00 |
Lancaster | Ephrata Area School District | Clay Elementary School | Blast Chiller Freezer | $9,667.39 |
Lancaster | Ephrata Area School District | Highland Elementary School | Blast Chiller Freezer | $9,667.39 |
Franklin | Fannett-Metal School District | Fannett-Metal Senior High School | Convection Oven, Gas | $9,160.82 |
Forest | Forest Area School District | East Forest Junior Senior High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $19,748.00 |
Forest | Forest Area School District | West Forest Junior Senior High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $19,748.00 |
Susquehanna | Forest City Regional School District | Forest City Regional High School | Combi Oven, Gas | $26,915.00 |
Washington | Fort Cherry School District | Fort Cherry Junior Senior High School | Dishwasher | $52,600.00 |
Butler | Freeport Area School District | South Buffalo Elementary School | Booster Heater, Electric | $4,841.00 |
Butler | Freeport Area School District | Freeport Area Senior High School | Planetary Mixer | $6,750.00 |
Delaware | Garnet Valley School District | Garnet Valley Middle School | Convection Oven, Gas | $11,350.00 |
Mercer | George Junior Republic in PA | George JR Republic in PA | Tilting Braising Pan, Gas | $21,343.10 |
Westmoreland | Greater Latrobe School District | Mountain View Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $28,601.00 |
Philadelphia | Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School | Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School | Walk-in Freezer | $24,175.00 |
Indiana | Homer-Center School District | Homer-Center Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $37,611.59 |
Indiana | Homer-Center School District | Homer-Center Junior Senior High School | Combi Oven, Gas | $37,611.59 |
Elk | Johnsonburg Area School District | Johnsonburg Area High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $21,398.00 |
Armstrong | Leechburg Area School District | David Leech Elementary School | Mobile Heated Cabinet | $6,208.50 |
Washington | McGuffey School District | Claysville Elementary | Electric Steamer | $20,620.58 |
Northumberland | Milton Area School District | Milton Area Senior High School | Convection Steamer, Gas | $25,974.00 |
Northumberland | Milton Area School District | White Deer Elementary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $35,271.00 |
Lawrence | Mohawk Area School District | Mohawk Area Senior High School | Reach-In Refrigerator Freezer | $15,334.43 |
Lawrence | Mohawk Area School District | Mohawk Elementary School | Mixer | $1,759.00 |
Susquehanna | Mountain View School District | Mountain View Junior Senior High School | Dishwasher | $34,741.02 |
Allegheny | Nazareth Prep | Seville School | Convection Oven, Electric | $5,175.04 |
Allegheny | Nazareth Prep | Moon Anthony | Convection Oven, Electric | $5,175.04 |
Montgomery | Norristown Area School District | Hancock Elementary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $42,145.44 |
Montgomery | Norristown Area School District | Whitehall Elementary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $42,145.44 |
Clarion | North Clarion County School District | North Clarion County Junior Senior High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $39,353.00 |
Bradford | Northeast Bradford School District | Northeast Bradford Elementary School | Convection Steamer, Electric | $21,810.36 |
Bradford | Northeast Bradford School District | Northeast Bradford Junior Senior High School | Dishwasher | $39,267.49 |
Westmoreland | Norwin School District | Norwin Middle School West | Combi Oven, Gas | $36,511.70 |
Westmoreland | Norwin School District | Norwin Senior High School | Reach-In Refrigerator | $1,549.00 |
Potter | Oswayo Valley School District | Oswayo Valley Elementary School | Dishwasher | $24,650.00 |
Potter | Oswayo Valley School District | Oswayo Valley Junior Senior High School | Stationary Kettle, Gas | $18,810.00 |
Carbon | Palmerton Area School District | S.S. Palmer Elementary School | Convection Oven, Electric | $8,708.92 |
Carbon | Palmerton Area School District | Parkside Education Center | Roll-Thru Refrigerator | $7,744.74 |
Lebanon | Palmyra Area School District | Palmyra Area Middle School | Conveyor Oven, Gas | $26,782.88 |
Indiana | Penns Manor Area School District | Penns Manor Area Junior Senior High School | Convection Oven, Gas | $12,115.00 |
Centre | Penns Valley Area School District | Centre Hall - Potter Elementary School | Dishwasher | $32,700.00 |
Clearfield | Pentz Run Youth Services Incorporated | Pentz Run Youth Services | Reach-in Freezer | $7,022.99 |
Philadelphia | School District of Philadelphia | Deburgos Bilingual Magnet Middle School | Indoor Walk-in Refrigeration | $18,700.00 |
Chester | Phoenixville Area School District | Phoenixville Area Middle School | Sandwich/Panini Grill | $10,395.00 |
Chester | Phoenixville Area School District | Barkley Elementary School | Reach-in Refrigerator | $7,765.31 |
Allegheny | Pittsburgh School District | Greenfield Elementary School | Convection Oven, Electric | $13,500.00 |
Allegheny | Pittsburgh School District | Fulton Academy of Science (Fulton Academy of Geo and Life Sciences) | Convection Oven, Electric | $13,500.00 |
Luzerne | Pittston Area School District | Pittston Area Senior High School | Dishwasher | $128,439.00 |
Luzerne | Pittston Area School District | Pittston Area Middle School | Convection Oven, Electric | $10,077.40 |
Monroe | Pleasant Valley School District | Pleasant Valley Middle School | Convection Steamer, Electric | $21,420.52 |
Allegheny | Plum Borough School District | Plum Middle School | Combi Oven, Gas | $28,601.00 |
Monroe | Pocono Mountain School District | Tobyhanna Elementary Center | Combi Oven, Electric | $20,404.00 |
Monroe | Pocono Mountain School District | Clear Run Elementary Center | Combi Oven, Electric | $20,825.00 |
Schuylkill | Pottsville Area School District | D.H.H. Lengel Middle School | Holding/Proofing Cabinet | $2,589.00 |
Allegheny | Propel Charter School- Homestead | Propel Braddock Hills High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $24,997.00 |
Allegheny | Propel Charter School- Homestead | Propel Montour Middle School/High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $24,997.00 |
Allegheny | Provident Charter School | Provident Charter School | Reach-in Freezer | $8,704.00 |
Jefferson | Punxsutawney Area School District | Punxsutawney Area Senior High School | Open Display Merchandiser | $14,037.00 |
Jefferson | Punxsutawney Area School District | Punxsutawney Elementary School | Convection Oven, Gas | $8,570.00 |
Clarion | Redbank Valley School District | Redbank Valley High School | Combi Oven, Gas | $45,188.00 |
Indiana | River Valley School District | River Valley High School | Ice Maker, Cube-Style | $5,809.00 |
Indiana | River Valley School District | Saltsburg Elementary School | Mobile Heated Cabinet | $9,669.00 |
Beaver | Riverside Beaver County School District | Riverside Beaver Middle School | Convection Oven, Gas | $10,640.00 |
Lackawanna | Riverside School District | Riverside Junior Senior High School | Indoor Freezer | $30,090.11 |
Lackawanna | Riverside School District | Riverside Elementary School West | Outdoor Freezer | $33,512.47 |
Delaware | Rose Tree Media School District | Penncrest High School | Pass-Thru Freezer | $11,128.53 |
Lehigh | Salisbury Township School District | Salisbury Middle School | Convection Steamer, Electric | $22,566.00 |
Lehigh | Salisbury Township School District | Salisbury High School | Convection Oven, Electric | $11,350.00 |
Erie | Sarah A Reed Childrens Center | Sarah A.Reed Children's Center/Hamilton School | Convection Oven, Electric | $20,903.55 |
Bradford | Sayre Area School District | Sayre High School | Dishwasher | $65,356.21 |
Schuylkill | Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 | Center for Exceptional Children | Combi Oven, Electric | $19,625.00 |
Mercer | Sharpsville Area School District | Sharpsville Area Middle School | Conveyor Oven, Electric | $18,328.00 |
Northumberland | Shikellamy School District | Priestley Elementary | Reach-in Freezer | $7,440.62 |
Cumberland | Shippensburg Area School District | Shippensburg Area Middle School | Convection Oven, Electric | $16,499.00 |
McKean | Smethport Area School District | Smethport Area Junior Senior High School | Open Display Merchandiser | $9,487.35 |
McKean | Smethport Area School District | Smethport Area Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $23,943.00 |
Greene | Southeastern Greene School District | Mapletown Junior Senior High School | Combi Oven, Electric | $24,763.00 |
Greene | Southeastern Greene School District | Bobtown Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $29,091.00 |
Fulton | Southern Fulton School District | Southern Fulton Elementary School | Convection Oven, Electric | $22,647.21 |
Huntingdon | Southern Huntingdon County School District | Southern Huntingdon County Junior Senior High School | Convection Steamer, Electric | $24,047.50 |
Montgomery | Springfield Township School District | Springfield Township Middle School | Serving Counter, Cold | $6,214.00 |
Montgomery | Springfield Township School District | Springfield Township High School | Open Display Merchandiser | $17,736.28 |
Dauphin | St Catherine Laboure School | St Catherine Laboure School | Range | $9,505.00 |
Dauphin | St Joan of Arc School | St Joan of Arc School | Convection Oven, Electric | $21,655.00 |
Allegheny | Steel Valley School District | Steel Valley Senior High School | Convection Steamer, Gas | $24,619.00 |
Allegheny | Steel Valley School District | Park Elementary School | Convection Oven, Gas | $8,407.00 |
Butler | Summit Academy | Summit Academy | Food Cutter, Electric | $16,860.16 |
Schuylkill | Tri-Valley School District | Hegins-Hubley Elementary | Reach-in Freezer | $7,325.00 |
Wyoming | Tunkhannock Area School District | Tunkhannock Area Intermediate School | Reach in Refrigerator | $11,807.85 |
Wyoming | Tunkhannock Area School District | Tunkhannock Primary Education Center | Pass-Thru Dual Temp Cabinet | $14,256.08 |
Bedford | Tussey Mountain School District | Tussey Mountain Elementary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $39,318.26 |
Berks | Twin Valley School District | Twin Valley Middle School | Conveyor Oven, Gas | $26,619.00 |
Indiana | United School District | United Junior Senior High School | Dishwasher | $34,626.42 |
Warren | Warren County School District | Sheffield Middle School | Combi Oven, Electric | $20,205.00 |
Warren | Warren County School District | Eisenhower Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $18,332.00 |
Allegheny | Wilkinsburg Borough School District | Kelly Primary School | Combi Oven, Electric | $24,997.00 |
Blair | Williamsburg Community School District | Williamsburg Community Elementary School | Combi Oven, Gas | $45,188.00 |
Lawrence | Wilmington Area School District | New Wilmington Elementary School | Serving Counter, Hot | $13,466.00 |
Luzerne | Wyoming Area School District | Wyoming Area Primary Center | Tilting Kettle, Electric | $15,867.13 |
Luzerne | Wyoming Area School District | Wyoming Area Kindergarten Center | Convection 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