National School Lunch Program
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program provides nutritious, balanced meals to support students’ health, learning, and well being each school day.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) – offers nutritionally balanced, low cost or free lunches to school aged children. Public or private schools and residential child care institutions that choose to take part in the lunch program get cash subsidies and USDA foods from the United States Department of Agriculture for each meal served that meets the federal requirements.
USDA Program Overview
Connections PCS Administrative Review Findings
Connections PCS Procurement Review Findings
Kamaile Academy Administrative Review Findings
Kamaile Academy Procurement Review Findings
Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School Administrative Review Findings
Ka `Umeke Ka`eo PCS Procurement Review Findings
Ka Waihona o ka Na’auao Public Charter School Administrative Review Findings
Ka Waihona O Ka Na`auao Procurement Review Findings
Ke Ana Laʻahana PCS Administrative Review Findings
Ke Ana La`ahana PCS Procurement Review Findings
Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School Administrative Review Findings
Kua O Ka La PCS Procurement Review Findings
Mālama Honua PCS Administrative Review Findings
Malama Honua PCS Procurement Review Findings
Bobby Benson Center Administrative Review Findings
Bobby Benson Center Procurement Review Findings
Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts & Science PCS Administrative Review Findings
Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences PCS Procurement Review Findings
Kamalani Academy Administrative Review Findings
Kamalani Academy Procurement Review Findings
Ka’ōhao School Administrative Review Findings
Kaohao PCS Procurement Review Findings
Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki Lab PCS Administrative Review Findings
Ke Kula `O Nawahiokalani`opu`u Iki Lab PCS Procurement Review Findings
Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School Administrative Review Findings
Na Wai Ola PCS Procurement Review Findings
St. Joseph School Administrative Review Findings
St. Joseph School Procurement Review Findings
University Laboratory School Administrative Review Findings
University Laboratory School Procurement Review Findings
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Administrative Review Findings
Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Procurement Review Findings
Child and Family Services Administrative Review Findings
Connections PCS Administrative Review Findings
Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences PCS Administrative Review Findings
Ho’okako’o School Administrative Review Findings
Ka Umeke Ka’eo PCS Administrative Review Findings
Ka Waihona O Ka Naauao PCS Administrative Review Findings
Kamalani Administrative Review Findings
Ke Ana Laahana Administrative Review Findings
Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopu’u Iki Lab PCS Administrative Review Findings
Kua O Ka La PCS Administrative Review Findings
Malama Honua Administrative Review Findings
Na Wai Ola PCS Administrative Review Findings
Saint Joseph Administrative Review Findings
Volcano School of Arts and Science PCS Administrative Review Findings
Bobby Benson Center Administrative Review Findings
Hawaii National Guard YCA Review Findings
Kamaile Academy PCS Administrative Review Findings
Kanu O Ka Aina Administrative Review Findings
Kau Learning Academy Administrative Review Findings
Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Learning Center PCS Administrative Review Findings
Kihei PCS Administrative Review Findings
Kona Pacific PCS Administrative Review Findings
Lanikai Elementary PCS Administrative Review Findings
Laupahoehoe Community PCS Administrative Review Findings
St. Catherine Administrative Review Findings
University Laboratory School Administrative Review Findings
Voyager PCS Administrative Review Findings
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) was implemented as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It is one of the federal provisions to increase access to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program while decreasing the administrative burden at the Local Educational Agency (LEA) level; specifically through an alternative method for claiming student meals in high poverty schools.
Beginning July 1, 2011, LEAs and schools in Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan were the first states selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pilot the CEP. On July 1, 2012, the USDA added Ohio, New York, District of Columbia, and West Virginia; and on July 1, 2013 they added the final states of Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The CEP is available nationwide in School Year 2014-15.
HCNP highly encourages participation in the CEP for a school with an Identified Student Percentage over 40 percent. Identified students are qualified to receive a meal at no cost through Direct Certification, including students certified as homeless, runaway, migrant, foster, children enrolled in a federally funded Head Start program, and non applicant students approved by the LEA.
Tools/Resources
CEP Data Collection Form Webinar 2018
CEP Financial Considerations for School Business Officials
CEP Increasing ISP with Direct Certification
CEP Letter to Household (For Schools Continuing CEP)
CEP Letter to Household (For Schools New to CEP)
Community Eligibility Provision Overview and Timeline Series 2017
Strategies for Finding Success with CEP
Taking a Fresh Look at CEP Presentation Slides
SY 2017-18 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2018-19 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2019-20 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2020-21 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2021-22 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2022-23 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2023-24 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2024-25 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2025-26 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
SY 2026-27 CEP Annual Notification of Eligibility
Proposed Rule – CEP – Federal Regulations, VR
SP61-2016 Community Eligibility Provision – Planning & Implementation (Memo)
SP61-2016 Community Eligibility Provision: Planning and Implementation Guidance
All schools and institutions that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs must comply with the federal civil rights laws. This includes school nutrition programs and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Civil Rights:
Civil Rights Ethnic Data Report
Civil Rights Complaint Procedures
Civil Rights Complaint Procedure Flowchart
HCNP Medical Statement for Students with Unique Mealtime Needs
Link to Additional Resources – Click “General Information” tab
Mckinney-Vento Act Brochure
- English
- Cebuano
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Chuukese
- Hawaiian
- Ilocano
- Japanese
- Korean
- Marshallese
- Samoan
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Tongan
- Vietnamese
New SFAs Only: Pre-Award Civil Rights Review
Training:
Civil Rights Training for Facility Staff
Civil Rights Training Sign in Sheet
LEP Resources:
Department of Justice link to Interpreters
DOE Equal Educational Opportunity
Chapter 61 – Resource for Disability Compliance
Eligibility Manual for School Meals
FNS School Meal Family Friendly Application Translations
HCNP Outreach Plan for Civil Rights Compliance
LEA Responsibility to Limited English Proficiency Households
Meaningful Access for Persons with LEP in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As
RFA MEMO SENT TO SFAs 09/09/25: Deadline Mon. 09/22/25
NSLP Equipment Assistance Application Form
Evaluation Scoring Tool – For Informational Purposes Only
FY 2024 NSLP Equipment Assistance – FNS Standard Terms and Conditions
RFA MEMO SENT TO SFAs 09/09/25: Deadline Mon. 09/22/25
NSLP Equipment Assistance Application Form
Evaluation Scoring Tool – For Informational Purposes Only
FY 2024 NSLP Equipment Assistance – FNS Standard Terms and Conditions
Food Safety Program Template – Self-Prep
Food Safety Program Template – Vended
HCNP Menu Planning Template – 5 Day (Excel)
Standard Operating Procedures:
- Approved Food Source
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces
- Controlling Time and Temperature During Preparation
- Cooking Potentially Hazardous Foods
- Cooling Potentially Hazardous Foods
- Date Marking Ready-to-Eat, Potentially Hazardous Food
- Facility and Equipment Maintenance
- Handling a Food Recall
- Handling Hot and Cold Potentially Hazardous Foods
- No Bare Hand Contact When Handling Ready-to-Eat Foods and Proper Glove Use
- Personal Hygiene
- Preventing Contamination at Food Bars
- Preventing Cross-Contamination During Storage and Preparation
- Receiving Deliveries
- Reheating Potentially Hazardous Foods
- Serving Food
- Storing and Using Poisonous or Toxic Chemicals
- Storing Food
- Thawing Foods
- Transporting Food to Remote Sites
- Using and Calibrating Thermometers
- Using Suitable Utensils When Handling Ready-to-Eat Foods
- Using Time Alone as a Public Health Control to Limit Bacteria Growth in Potentially Hazardous Foods
- Visitors in Food Service
- Washing Fruits and Vegetables
- Washing Hands
- Wiping Cloths
K-12 Breakfast Meal Pattern Updated 10.2025
K-12 Lunch Meal Pattern Updated 10.2025
K-12 Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern Updated 10.2024
Pre-K Breakfast Meal Pattern Updated 12.2025
Pre-K Lunch Meal Pattern Updated 12.2025
Pre-K Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern_Updated 8.2022
CNP Meal Pattern Comparison Chart
Choose Breakfast Cereals that are Lower in Added Sugars
Choose Yogurt that is Lower in Added Sugars
Serving School Meals To Preschoolers
Short and Long Week Meal Pattern Calculations
Start With Half a Cup: Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Portioning Guide
Deputy Under Secretary Thornton Letter
HCNP Menu Planning Template 5-Day
HCNP Menu Planning Template 7-Day
Exhibit A: Whole Grain-Rich Ounce Equivalency (oz eq) Requirements for School Meals Programs
Buy American Provision:
Buy American (PDF)
Buy American Documentation Sheet
Equipment Purchasing:
Equipment Purchases – Flow Chart
Equipment Purchase Approval Form O-10
Fiscal:
PLE Final Powerpoint (PDF)
Single Audit Powerpoint (PDF)
Food Service Management Companies (FSMC):
BUYING FSMC (PDF)
Procurement Plan and Code of Conduct:
Plan and Code of Conduct 2017 (PDF)
Procurement Review:
Declaration of Procurement Authority (DOC)
Informal Purchase (DOC)
Procurement Review (PDF)
Procurement Review Process and Checklist
Simplified SFA Procurement Table (Excel)
Resources:
Farm to School Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
ICN Procurement in the 21st Century Resource Manual
ICN Financial Management Information System Manual
Training:
2017 F2S Presentation (PDF)
2017 Procurement Review (PDF)
FDP Procurement Training (PDF)
Informal Purchasing Methods (PDF)
Procurement Misc (PDF)
- Free and Reduced Price Application
- Free and Reduced Price Application: Translations
- HCNP Systems
- Local Wellness Policy
- Meal Counting and Point of Service Review
- Non-Program Revenue Calculator
- NSLP Program Resources
- Paid Lunch Equity Tool
- Production Record and Transport Daily Record
- Professional Standards
- Provision 2
- Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
- Smart Snacks
- Special Dietary Needs
- Verification
Press Release for Free and Reduced Price Meals SY 25-26
HCNP Free and Reduced Price Meal Application_SY 2025-26 (Word)
HCNP Free and Reduced Price Meal Application_SY 2025-26 (PDF)
Free and Reduced Priced Meals Translated Applications
Frequently Asked Questions About the Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Sharing Information with Medicaid/CHIP
Sharing Information with Other Programs
Free and Reduced Price Application Translations
Chuukese: Parent Letter /Instructions for Meal Application /Meal Application 16-17
Hawaiian: Parent Letter /Instructions for Meal Application /Meal Application 16-17
Marshallese: Parent Letter /Instructions for Meal Application /Meal Application 16-17 (To view, you must download font package)
PLEASE NOTE: Attached are the fonts for the Marshallese translation, in which the schools will need to download and install them before opening the Marshallese packet. Otherwise, the special characters will show as different symbols and will not make any sense. Marshallese fonts (.zip file)
Tongan: Parent Letter /Instructions for Meal Application /Meal Application 16-17
Albanian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Amharic: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Arabic: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Armenian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Bengali: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Bosnian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Burmese: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Chinese Simplified: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Chinese Traditional: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Croatian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Farsi: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
French: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Greek: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Gujarati: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Haitian Creole: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Hebrew: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Hindi: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Hmong: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Igbo: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Ilokano: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Italian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Iu Mien: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Jamaican Creole: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Japanese: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Karen: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Khmer: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Korean: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Kru Bassa: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Kurdish: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Laotian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Nepali: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Pashto: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Polish: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Portuguese: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Punjabi: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Romanian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Russian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Samoan: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Serbian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Somali: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Sudanese Arabic: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Tagalog: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Thai: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Tigrinya: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Turkish: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Ukrainian: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Urdu: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Vietnamese: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Yiddish: Instructions for Meal Application/ Meal Application
Child Nutrition Programs and Traditional Foods
Eligibility Manual for School Meals, Revised July 2017
Foster Parent Letter About School Meals
HCNP Standardized Recipe Template
Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge
School Lunch Program Fact Sheet
Calendar of School Nutrition Programs Requirements and Activities SY 2025-26
Strategies to Improve Response Rates in Verification
Form v-7a October 1 Counting Applications 2025
Form v-7b Counting Students 2025
Form v-7c Results of Verification by Original Benefit Type
Schedule to Help Meet Verification Deadlines 2025
Confirm Eligibility for Free Reduced Meals 2024_Plain Text_No Images
Confirm Eligibility for Free Reduced Meals 2024_Rich Text with Images
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) contacts:
For more information about NSLP contact:
[email protected] – Program Specialist
[email protected] – Program Specialist
[email protected] – Professional Trainee