Table 1 to Paragraph (c) Introductory Text-Lunch Meal Pattern
Lunch meal pattern | |||
Grades K-5 | Grades 6-8 | Grades 9-12 | |
Food components | Amount of Fooda per Week | ||
(minimum per day) | |||
Fruits (cups)b | 21/2 (1/2) | 21/2 (1/2) | 5 (1) |
Vegetables (cups)b | 33/4 (3/4) | 33/4 (3/4) | 5 (1) |
Dark greenc | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Red/Orangec | 3/4 | 3/4 | 11/4 |
Beans and peas (legumes)c | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Starchyc | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Otherc d | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3/4 |
Additional Vegetables to Reach Totale | 1 | 1 | 11/2 |
Grains (oz eq)f | 8-9 (1) | 8-10 (1) | 10-12 (2) |
Meats/Meat Alternates (oz eq) | 8-10 (1) | 9-10 (1) | 10-12 (2) |
Fluid milk (cups)g | 5 (1) | 5 (1) | 5 (1) |
Other Specifications: Daily Amount Based on the Average for a 5-Day Week | |||
Min-max calories (kcal)h | 550-650 | 600-700 | 750-850 |
Saturated fat (% of total calories)h | [LESS THAN]10 | [LESS THAN]10 | [LESS THAN]10 |
Sodium Interim Target 1 (mg)h | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,230 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,360 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,420 |
Sodium Interim Target 1A (mg)h i | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,110 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,225 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,280 |
Trans fath | Nutrition label or manufacturer specifications must indicate zero grams of trans fat per serving. |
a Food items included in each group and subgroup and amount equivalents. Minimum creditable serving is 1/8 cup.
b One quarter-cup of dried fruit counts as 1/2 cup of fruit; 1 cup of leafy greens counts as 1/2 cup of vegetables. No more than half of the fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice. All juice must be 100% full-strength.
c Larger amounts of these vegetables may be served.
d This category consists of "Other vegetables" as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(iii)(E) of this section. For the purposes of the NSLP, the "Other vegetables" requirement may be met with any additional amounts from the dark green, red/orange, and beans/peas (legumes) vegetable subgroups as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section.
e Any vegetable subgroup may be offered to meet the total weekly vegetable requirement.
f At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly (by ounce equivalents) must meet the whole grain-rich criteria specified in FNS guidance, and the remaining grain items offered must be enriched.
g All fluid milk must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less). Milk may be unflavored or flavored, provided that unflavored milk is offered at each meal service.
h Discretionary sources of calories (solid fats and added sugars) may be added to the meal pattern if within the specifications for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. Foods of minimal nutritional value and fluid milk with fat content greater than 1 percent are not allowed.
i Sodium Interim Target 1A must be met no later than July 1, 2023 (SY 2023-2024).
Nutrient | Per cup (8 fl oz) |
Calcium | 276 mg. |
Protein | 8 g. |
Vitamin A | 500 IU. |
Vitamin D | 100 IU. |
Magnesium | 24 mg. |
Phosphorus | 222 mg. |
Potassium | 349 mg. |
Riboflavin | 0.44 mg. |
Vitamin B-12 | 1.1 mcg. |
Calorie ranges for lunch | |||
Grades K-5 | Grades 6-8 | Grades 9-12 | |
Min-max calories (kcal)ab | 550-650 | 600-700 | 750-850 |
a The average daily amount for a 5-day school week must fall within the minimum and maximum levels.
b Discretionary sources of calories (solid fats and added sugars) may be added to the meal pattern if within the specifications for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium.
Table 4 to Paragraph (f)(3)-National School Lunch Program Sodium Timeline & Limits
Age/grade group | Target 1: effective July 1, 2022 (mg) | Interim target 1A: effective July 1, 2023 (mg) |
K-5 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,230 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,110 |
6-8 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,360 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,225 |
9-12 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,420 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,280 |
Table 5 to Paragraph (o)(3)(ii)-Preschool Snack Meal Pattern
Food components and food items 1 | Minimum quantities | |
Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | |
Fluid Milk2 | 4 fluid ounces | 4 fluid ounces. |
Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | ||
Lean meat, poultry, or fish | 1/2 ounce | 1/2 ounce. |
Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products3 | 1/2 ounce | 1/2 ounce. |
Cheese | 1/2 ounce | 1/2 ounce. |
Large egg | 1/2 | 1/2. |
Cooked dry beans or peas | 1/8 cup | 1/8 cup. |
Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 1 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp. |
Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened4 | 2 ounces or 1/4 cup | 2 ounces or 1/4 cup. |
Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds | 1/2 ounce | 1/2 ounce. |
Vegetables5 | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup. |
Fruits5 | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup. |
Grains (oz eq) 6 7 8 | 1/2 ounce equivalent | 1/2 ounce equivalent. |
Endnotes:
1 Select two of the five components for a reimbursable snack. Only one of the two components may be a beverage.
2 Must be unflavored whole milk for children age one. Must be unflavored low-fat (1 percent) or unflavored fat-free (skim) milk for children two through five years old.
3 Alternate protein products must meet the requirements in Appendix A to Part 226 of this chapter.
4 Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces.
5 Pasteurized full-strength juice may only be used to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal, including snack, per day.
6 At least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, must be whole grain-rich. Grain-based desserts do not count towards meeting the grains requirement.
7 Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce (no more than 21.2 grams sucrose and other sugars per 100 grams of dry cereal).
8 Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.
Table 6 to Paragraph (o)(4)(ii)-Infant Snack Meal Pattern
Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk1 or formula2 | 2-4 fluid ounces breastmilk1 or formula;2 and |
0- 1/2 ounce equivalent bread;34 or | |
0- 1/4 ounce equivalent crackers;34 or | |
0- 1/2 ounce equivalent infant cereal;24 or | |
0- 1/4 ounce equivalent ready-to-eat breakfast cereal;3456 and | |
0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both.67 |
1 Breastmilk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that breastmilk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breastmilk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breastmilk may be offered, with additional breastmilk offered at a later time if the infant will consume more.
2 Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified.
3 A serving of grains must be whole grain-rich, enriched meal, or enriched flour.
4 Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.
5 Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce (no more than 21.2 grams sucrose and other sugars per 100 grams of dry cereal).
6 A serving of this component is required when the infant is developmentally ready to accept it.
7 Fruit and vegetable juices must not be served.
Table 7 to Paragraph (p)(2)-Preschool Lunch Meal Pattern
Food components and food items 1 | Minimum quantities | |
Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | |
Fluid Milk2 | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces. |
Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | ||
Lean meat, poultry, or fish | 1 ounce | 11/2 ounces. |
Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products3 | 1 ounce | 11/2 ounces. |
Cheese | 1 ounce | 11/2 ounces. |
Large egg | 1/2 | 3/4. |
Cooked dry beans or peas | 1/4 cup | 3/8 cup. |
Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 2 Tbsp | 3 Tbsp. |
Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened4 | 4 ounces or 1/2 cup | 6 ounces or 3/4 cup. |
The following may be used to meet no more than 50% of the requirement: Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds, as listed in program guidance, or an equivalent quantity of any combination of the above meat/meat alternates (1 ounce of nuts/seeds = 1 ounce of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish) | 1/2 ounce = 50% | 3/4 ounce = 50%. |
Vegetables 5 6 | 1/8 cup | 1/4 cup. |
Fruits 5 6 | 1/8 cup | 1/4 cup. |
Grains (oz eq) 7 8 9 | 1/2 ounce equivalent | 1/2 ounce equivalent. |
Endnotes:
1 Must serve all five components for a reimbursable meal.
2 Must be unflavored whole milk for children age one. Must be unflavored low-fat (1 percent) or unflavored fat-free (skim) milk for children two through five years old.
3 Alternate protein products must meet the requirements in Appendix A to Part 226 of this chapter.
4 Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces.
5 Pasteurized full-strength juice may only be used to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal, including snack, per day.
6 A vegetable may be used to meet the entire fruit requirement. When two vegetables are served at lunch or supper, two different kinds of vegetables must be served.
7 At least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, must be whole grain-rich. Grain-based desserts do not count towards the grains requirement.
8 Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.
9 Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce (no more than 21.2 grams sucrose and other sugars per 100 grams of dry cereal).
Table 8 to Paragraph (q)(2)-Infant Lunch Meal Pattern
Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk1 or formula2 | 6-8 fluid ounces breastmilk1 or formula;2 and |
0- 1/2 ounce equivalent infant cereal; 2 3 or | |
0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or cooked dry peas; or | |
0-2 ounces of cheese; or | |
0-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or | |
0-4 ounces or 1/2 cup of yogurt;4 or a combination of the above;5 and | |
0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both.5 6 |
1 Breastmilk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that breastmilk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breastmilk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breastmilk may be offered, with additional breastmilk offered at a later time if the infant will consume more.
2 Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified.
3 Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.
4 Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces.
5 A serving of this component is required when the infant is developmentally ready to accept it.
6 Fruit and vegetable juices must not be served.
7 C.F.R. §210.10