Reimbursable Meals
What exactly is a Reimbursable Meal?
When talking to our staff, you may hear them use the term "reimbursable meal." Because our Food Service Department participates in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program, we must follow the meal pattern requirements mandated by the USDA. The term "reimbursable meal" refers to the food items or components necessary to satisfy program requirements.
Breakfast and lunch prices apply to reimbursable meals only. If a student takes a meal that is not considered reimbursable, they will be charged à la carte prices for each individual item even if the student qualifies for free or reduced price school meals.
School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides reimbursement to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the SBP at the federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the program in schools.
The requirements for a reimbursable school breakfast are as follows:
- The breakfast must contain at least three food items.
- At least one of the three food items must be a serving of fruit. Students are allowed to choose one serving each of two different fruits.
- Only one serving of each item is allowed (e.g. one apple, one banana, one milk, etc.).
- Students may return to the serving line for additional servings of fruit if they are still hungry.
While students are typing their food service PINs, our cashiers are checking students' trays to verify that their meal meets SBP requirements.
See the graphic to the right for examples of reimbursable breakfasts. Click on the graphic to open it in a new window.
Click on the button above to learn more about the SBP.
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
The requirements for a reimbursable school lunch are based on components (food groups). The five components available are fruit, vegetables, grain, milk and meat or meat alternative (such as cheese or yogurt).
- The lunch must contain at least three components.
- At least one of the three components must be a serving of fruit and/or vegetables. Students are allowed to choose up to one serving of each type of fruit and/or vegetable.
- Only one serving of each food item is allowed (e.g. one apple, one milk, etc.).
- Students are not required to take an entrée as long as they take three other components.
- Students may return to the serving line for additional servings of fruit and/or vegetables if they are still hungry.
See the graphic to the right for examples of reimbursable lunches.
Click the button above to learn more about the NSLP.
