Federal Programs: School Nutrition

Oregon receives federal funding and commodity food distribution for five child nutrition programs: school breakfast, school lunch, summer food service, child and adult care food and special milk programs. The funds and commodity food distribution are managed by the Department of Education.

School Breakfast and Lunch

Students from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line or from households receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) receive free meals. Students from households with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty line receive meals at reduced rates.

State law requires schools with at least 25 percent of their students receiving free or reduced-price lunches also to serve breakfast.

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Summer Food Service

The summer food services program provides meals to children during summer vacation. Schools in low-income areas are preferred sponsors, but Boys and Girls Clubs, churches and YMCAs in low-income areas also serve free meals to all participating children regardless of income.

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Child and Adult Care Food Program

Child and Adult Care Food Program receives federal funds to provide meals in nonprofit day care centers, Head Start centers, family day care homes, outside-school-hours programs and adult day care centers.

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Milk Program

Under this program the federal government provides funds to serve milk each school day to children in schools and institutions that do not serve breakfast or lunch.

For more information about school nutrition programs, see the Nutrition section of the Oregon Department of Education Web site or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site.

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