Child Nutrition Act

U.S. federal law providing funding for child nutrition programs

Child Nutrition Act

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The Child Nutrition Act (CNA) is a United States federal law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 11, 1966. The act was established to provide funding and support for various child nutrition programs, aiming to improve the health and well-being of children across the nation.

Provisions

The Child Nutrition Act encompasses several key programs designed to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition. These programs include:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• Special Milk Program (SMP)
• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The program aims to promote the health and well-being of children by ensuring they have access to nutritious meals during the school day.

School Breakfast Program

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) offers funding to schools to provide breakfast to students. This program is designed to ensure that children start their day with a nutritious meal, which can improve their concentration and academic performance.

Special Milk Program

The Special Milk Program (SMP) provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions that do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program aims to encourage the consumption of milk among children.

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The program provides free meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods. The program aims to improve the quality of day care and make it more affordable for low-income families.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools. The program aims to introduce children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample.

Amendments and Reauthorizations

The Child Nutrition Act has been amended and reauthorized several times since its inception. Notable amendments include the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which aimed to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and expand access to healthy food for children.

Related Pages

• National School Lunch Act
• Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
• Food and Nutrition Service
• United States Department of Agriculture