School Food Authority

What Is the National School Lunch Program?

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.

The program also incorporates wellness policies and Smart Snacks to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity at school.

 Program Benefits

The National School Lunch Program:

• Enhances academic performance and behavior by ensuring that students receive the nutrition they need to stay focused;
• Reduces food insecurity by ensuring students have consistent access to nutritious meals, helping to alleviate hunger and its effects;
• Promotes physical growth and development with balanced meals that supply essential nutrients for healthy development; and
• Supports positive nutritional intake by offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, lean meats, fish, plant-based proteins, and low-fat milk and dairy products.

The St. Croix School Food Authority (SFA) is passionately committed to ensuring the nutritional well-being of students across the district. Our division is at the forefront of planning, implementing, and evaluating the Child Nutrition Program (CNP), which is pivotal in providing healthy and balanced meals to our students. We take pride in overseeing the hiring, training, and supervision of dedicated food service personnel, ensuring strict compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintaining the highest standards for food safety and quality.

 Serving 10 public schools and 9 private schools, the St. Croix SFA provides nutritious breakfast and lunch to approximately 5,072 students every day. Our efforts are not just about feeding children; we are nurturing their growth, supporting their educational journey, and fostering a healthy learning environment. Through our unwavering dedication, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve, ensuring they have the nourishment they need to thrive both academically and personally.