42 U.S.C. § 1751 (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 1751. Congressional declaration of policy
It is declared to be the policy of Congress, as a measure of national security, to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s children and to encourage the domestic consumption of nutritious agricultural commodities and other food, by assisting the States, through grants-in-aid and other means, in providing an adequate supply of foods and other facilities for the establishment, maintenance, operation, and expansion of nonprofit school lunch programs.
(June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 2, 60 Stat. 230; Pub. L. 101–147, title III, § 312(1), Nov. 10, 1989, 103 Stat. 916.)
heading: Amendments
text: 1989—Pub. L. 101–147 substituted “school lunch” for “school-lunch”.
heading: Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 111–296, title IV, § 445, Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3266, provided that: “Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act [see Short Title of 2010 Amendment note below] or any of the amendments made by this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect on October 1, 2010.”
heading: Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 101–147, § 2, Nov. 10, 1989, 103 Stat. 878, provided that: “Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 1989 Amendment note below] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1989].”
heading: Short Title of 2020 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 116–127, div. B, title I, § 2101, Mar. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 184, provided that: “This title [enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1760 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Maintaining Essential Access to Lunch for Students Act’ or the ‘MEALS Act’.”
Pub. L. 116–127, div. B, title II, § 2201, Mar. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 185, provided that: “This title [enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1760 and 1786 of this title] may be cited as the ‘COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act’.”
heading: Short Title of 2010 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 111–296, § 1(a), Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3183, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1758b, 1769d, 1769e, 1769j, and 1793 of this title and sections 2036a and 3179 of Title 7, Agriculture, amending sections 1396a, 1753, 1755, 1758, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769, 1769b–1, 1769c, 1769g, 1769i, 1776, 1779, and 1786 of this title, sections 2013 and 2020 of Title 7, and section 1232g of Title 20, Education, repealing section 1769h of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1396a, 1758, and 1766 of this title and section 3179 of Title 7, and repealing provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010’.”
heading: Short Title of 2004 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 108–265, § 1(a), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 729, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1754 and 1769i of this title, amending sections 1396a, 1758, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769, 1769b–1, 1769c, 1769g, 1773, 1776, 1786, and 1788 of this title and section 2020 of Title 7, Agriculture, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1754, 1758, 1766, 1769c, 1773, and 1786 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 612c of Title 7] may be cited as the ‘Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004’.”
heading: Short Title of 1998 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 105–336, § 1(a), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3143, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 1755, 1758, 1759a to 1761, 1762a, 1765 to 1766a, 1769, 1769b–1, 1769c, 1769f to 1769h, 1773, 1776, 1784, 1786, and 1788 of this title, repealing section 1766b of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1755, 1761, and 1786 of this title, and amending provisions set out as notes under section 1769 of this title and section 612c of Title 7, Agriculture] may be cited as the ‘William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998’.”
heading: Short Title of 1996 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 104–149, § 1, May 29, 1996, 110 Stat. 1379, provided that: “This Act [amending section 1758 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Healthy Meals for Children Act’.”
heading: Short Title of 1994 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 103–448, § 1(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4699, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1766b and 1769f to 1769h of this title, amending sections 280c–6, 1396a, 1755, 1756, 1758, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769, 1769a, 1769b–1, 1769c, 1773, 1776, 1779, 1786, and 1788 of this title, section 2018 of Title 7, Agriculture, section 1484a of Title 20, Education, and section 3803 of Title 31, Money and Finance, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1755, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1769f, and 1786 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes under section 1786 of this title and section 612c of Title 7, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 1786 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act of 1994’.”
heading: Short Title of 1992 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 102–342, § 1, Aug. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 911, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 1790 of this title, amending sections 1766, 1769, and 1786 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1769 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 612c of Title 7, Agriculture] may be cited as the ‘Child Nutrition Amendments of 1992’.”
heading: Short Title of 1989 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 101–147, § 1(a), Nov. 10, 1989, 103 Stat. 877, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1766a, 1769b–1, 1769c, 1769d, and 1769e of this title, amending this section and sections 1753, 1755–1758, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1765, 1766, 1769–1769b, 1772, 1773, 1776, 1779, 1783, 1784, 1786, and 1788 of this title, repealing sections 1762 and 1763 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1755, 1758, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1766a, 1769, 1769c, 1773, 1776, and 1786 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 1766 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989’.”
heading: Short Title of 1986 Amendments
text: Pub. L. 99–661, § 4001(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 4070, provided that: “This division [div. D (§§ 4001–4503) of Pub. L. 99–661, amending sections 1752, 1755, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769 to 1769b, 1772, 1773, 1776, 1784, 1786, 1788, and 1789 of this title, repealing sections 1767, 1768, and 1769c of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1758, 1760, 1766, 1772, 1773, and 1786 of this title and section 1431e of Title 7, Agriculture] may be cited as the ‘Child Nutrition Amendments of 1986’.”
Pub. L. 99–500, title III, § 301(a), Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–359, and Pub. L. 99–591, title III, § 301(a), Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–362, provided that: “This title [amending sections 1752, 1755, 1758, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769 to 1769b, 1772, 1773, 1776, 1784, 1786, 1788, and 1789 of this title and section 1929a of Title 7, Agriculture, repealing sections 1767, 1768, and 1769c of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1758, 1760, 1766, 1772, 1773, and 1786 of this title and sections 1431e and 1929a of Title 7] may be cited as the ‘School Lunch and Child Nutrition Amendments of 1986’.”
heading: Short Title of 1978 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 95–627, § 1, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3603, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 1769c of this title, amending sections 1755, 1757, 1758, 1759a to 1761, 1762a, 1766, 1769, 1772 to 1774, 1776, 1784, and 1786 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1755, 1773 and 1786 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Child Nutrition Amendments of 1978’.”
heading: Short Title of 1977 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 95–166, § 1, Nov. 10, 1977, 91 Stat. 1325, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 1769, 1769a, and 1788 of this title, amending sections 1754 to 1758, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1763, 1766, 1772 to 1774, 1776, 1779, 1784, and 1786 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1755 and 1772 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Amendments of 1977’.”
heading: Short Title of 1975 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 94–105, § 1, Oct. 7, 1975, 89 Stat. 511, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, and 1787 of this title, amending sections 1752, 1755, 1756, 1758, 1759, 1759a, 1760, 1761, 1762a, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1784, and 1786 of this title, repealing section 1764 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1758, 1760, 1761, and 1786 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Amendments of 1975’.”
heading: Short Title of 1974 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 93–326, § 1, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 286, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 1762a of this title and amending sections 1752, 1755, 1758, 1763, 1774, and 1786 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Act Amendments of 1974’.”
heading: Short Title of 1973 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 93–150, § 1, Nov. 7, 1973, 87 Stat. 560, provided: “That this Act [amending sections 1753, 1755, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1759a, 1763, 1772, 1773, and 1786 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 240 of Title 20, Education] may be cited as the ‘National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Act Amendments of 1973’.”
heading: Short Title
text: Act June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 1, 60 Stat. 230, as amended by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 752(a), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1169, provided: “That this Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act’.”
heading: Indirect Costs
text: Pub. L. 111–296, title III, § 307, Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3245, provided that:
“(a) Guidance on Indirect Costs Rules.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 13, 2010], the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall issue guidance to school food authorities participating in the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) covering program rules pertaining to indirect costs, including allowable indirect costs that may be charged to the nonprofit school food service account.
“(b) Indirect Cost Study.—
The Secretary shall—
“(1) conduct a study to assess the extent to which school food authorities participating in the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) pay indirect costs, including assessments of—
“(A) the allocation of indirect costs to, and the methodologies used to establish indirect cost rates for, school food authorities participating in the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
“(B) the impact of indirect costs charged to the nonprofit school food service account;
“(C) the types and amounts of indirect costs charged and recovered by school districts;
“(D) whether the indirect costs charged or recovered are consistent with requirements for the allocation of indirect costs and school food service operations; and
“(E) the types and amounts of indirect costs that could be charged or recovered under requirements for the allocation of indirect costs and school food service operations but are not charged or recovered; and
“(2) after completing the study required under paragraph (1), issue additional guidance relating to the types of costs that are reasonable and necessary to provide meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.).
“(c) Regulations.—
After conducting the study under subsection (b)(1) and identifying costs under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary may promulgate regulations to address—
“(1) any identified deficiencies in the allocation of indirect costs; and
“(2) the authority of school food authorities to reimburse only those costs identified by the Secretary as reasonable and necessary under subsection (b)(2).
“(d) Report.—
Not later than October 1, 2013, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the study under subsection (b).
“(e) Funding.—
“(1) In general.—
On October 1, 2010, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to carry out this section $2,000,000, to remain available until expended.
“(2) Receipt and acceptance.—
The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.”
heading: Local Wellness Policy
text: Pub. L. 108–265, title II, § 204, June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 780, as amended by Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, § 776, Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2161, which related to establishment of local school wellness policies for schools under local educational agencies, was repealed by Pub. L. 111–296, title II, § 204(b), Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3218.
heading: Coordination of School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs
text: Pub. L. 104–193, title VII, § 741, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2307, as amended by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 752(b)(6), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1169, provided that:
“(a) Coordination.—
“(1) In general.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall develop proposed changes to the regulations under the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), the summer food service program under section 13 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1761), and the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773), for the purpose of simplifying and coordinating those programs into a comprehensive meal program.
“(2) Consultation.—
In developing proposed changes to the regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with local, State, and regional administrators of the programs described in such paragraph.
“(b) Report.—
Not later than November 1, 1997, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities of the House of Representatives a report containing the proposed changes developed under subsection (a).”
heading: Supplemental Nutrition Programs; Congressional Statement of Findings
text: Pub. L. 103–448, § 2, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4700, as amended by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 752(b)(15), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1170, provided that:
“Congress finds that—
“(1) undernutrition can permanently retard physical growth, brain development, and cognitive functioning of children;
“(2) the longer a child’s nutritional, emotional, and educational needs go unmet, the greater the likelihood of cognitive impairment;
“(3) low-income children who attend school hungry score significantly lower on standardized tests than non-hungry low-income children; and
“(4) supplemental nutrition programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) can help to offset threats posed to a child’s capacity to learn and perform in school that result from inadequate nutrient intake.”
heading: Study of Adulteration of Juice Products Sold to School Meal Programs
text: Pub. L. 103–448, title I, § 125, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4734, directed Comptroller General of the United States, not later than 1 year after Nov. 2, 1994, to conduct study and to submit a report to Congress on costs and problems associated with sale of adulterated fruit juice and juice products to the school lunch program under this chapter and school breakfast program under section 1773 of this title.
heading: Consolidation of School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program Into Comprehensive Meal Program
text: Pub. L. 103–448, title III, § 301, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4749, as amended by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 752(b)(15), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1170, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Notwithstanding any provision of [the] Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 1994], develop and implement regulations to consolidate the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) into a comprehensive meal program.
“(b) Requirements.—
In establishing the comprehensive meal program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall meet the following requirements:
“(1) The Secretary shall ensure that the program continues to serve children who are eligible for free and reduced price meals. The meals shall meet the nutritional requirements of section 9(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(a)(1)) and section 4(e)(1) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(e)(1)).
“(2) The Secretary shall continue to make breakfast assistance payments in accordance with section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) and food assistance payments in accordance with the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
“(3) The Secretary may not consolidate any aspect of the school lunch program or the school breakfast program with respect to any matter described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (N) of section 12(l)(4) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)(4)).
“(c) Plan and Recommendations.—
“(1) Plan for consolidation and simplification.—
Not later than 180 days prior to implementing the regulations described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a plan for the consolidation and simplification of the school lunch program and the school breakfast program.
“(2) Recommendations with respect to change in payment amounts.—
If the Secretary proposes to change the amount of the breakfast assistance payment or the food assistance payment under the comprehensive meal program, the Secretary shall not include the change in the consolidation and shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education and Labor, and the Committee on Agriculture, of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate recommendations for legislation to effect the change.”
heading: Study and Report Relating to Use of Private Food Establishments and Caterers Under School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
text: Pub. L. 103–448, title III, § 302, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4750, directed Comptroller General of the United States, in conjunction with the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment, to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress, not later than Sept. 1, 1996, on the use of private food establishments and caterers by schools that participate in the school lunch program under this chapter or the school breakfast program under section 1773 of this title.
heading: School Lunch Studies
text: Pub. L. 101–624, title XVII, § 1779, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3816, directed Secretary of Agriculture to determine the quantity of bonus commodities lost, by State, since the 1987–88 school year, the amount that school food service authorities charged students for non-free or reduced price meals, and the trends in school participation and student participation, by State and for the United States, and directed Secretary also to determine the cost to produce school lunches and breakfasts, including indirect and local administrative costs, the reasons why schools choose not to participate in the National school lunch program, the State costs incurred to administer the school programs, and the reasons why children eligible for free or reduced price meals do not apply for benefits or participate, with Secretary to submit to Congress a final report on results of the studies not later than Oct. 1, 1993.
heading: Comprehensive Study of Benefits of Programs; Report to Congress
text: Pub. L. 93–150, § 10, Nov. 7, 1973, 87 Stat. 564, directed Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive study to determine if the benefits of the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act are accruing to the maximum extent possible to all of the nation’s school children, and to determine if regional cost differentials exist in Alaska and other States so as to require additional reimbursement, such report with recommendations to be submitted to Congress no later than June 30, 1974.