Free or reduced-price meals programs

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ECS-000773",
  "term": "Free or reduced-price meals programs",
  "field": "Economic statistics",
  "definition": "The data on this topic are designed to measure the number of households where at least one member of the household received free or reduced-price lunches. The National School Lunch Program is designed \"to help safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation's children by assisting the states in providing an adequate supply of foods\" (P.L. 79-396, the National School Lunch Act of 1946) for all children at moderate cost. Additional assistance is provided for children determined by local school officials to be unable to pay the \"full established\" price for lunches. Like the Food Stamp program, the National School Lunch Program is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture through state educational agencies or through regional USDA nutrition services for some nonprofit private schools.",
  "references": [
    "U.S. Census Bureau Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/economic-statistics/free-or-reduced-price-meals-programs/"
}