School Meals

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program 

Federally funded programs that provide meal reimbursement to public and nonpublic schools and Residential Child Care Institutions. These Programs provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches and breakfasts to children each school day. The funds provided for these Programs are from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are administered in Iowa through the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services in the Department of Education.

National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program 

Iowa School Nutrition Fact Sheet – Provides an overview of School Nutrition Programs in Iowa including the benefits, how to build a reimbursable lunch, participation data, and reimbursement information.

Assigned Consultants – Consultant assignments for Child Nutrition Programs in schools:

• Assigned School Consultants
• Map of Assigned Nutrition Program Consultants

Student Meal Debt – In 2018, the Iowa Legislature passed and the Governor signed into legislation HF2467 addressing student meal debt. The following documents provide guidance and answers pertaining to the legislation:

• HF2467 Student Lunch Debt Guidance
• HF2467 Q & A (Revised 2018)
• Meal Charge Policy – School Food Authorities are required to have a policy implemented by July 1, 2017, which describes how students without funds in an account and no cash to purchase a meal will be impacted.This document provides a multitude of suggestions and important points to consider in developing a policy.

Seamless Summer Option

USDA has issued a nationwide waiver that allows School Food Authorities (SFAs) the option of operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP) or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) when school is open during the regular school year, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.

School Nutrition COVID-19 Food Safety Resource

The Iowa Department of Education Bureau of Nutrition & Health Services and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals collaborated on development of this resource to assist school nutrition programs. 

USDA Waiver Requests – Public Notification

The Iowa Department of Education Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services is seeking the following waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.

Submitted USDA Waiver Requests

• SBP & NSLP Potable Water Waiver Request
• Center At Risk Activity Waiver Request
• FSMC 21-Day Cycle Menu Waiver

Submitted and Approved USDA Waiver Requests

• Oversight and Review Requirements Waiver Request
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program Parent Pick Up Waiver Request 
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program Alternate Site Waiver Request
• Iowa Waiver Request 3-Year Administrative Review
  • ​Extend the Administrative Review cycle from the current 3-year cycle to a 5-year cycle to allow the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services to provide additional technical assistance and reduce the administrative burden for local public school districts, nonpublic schools, and Residential Child Care Institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program.