Table 1 to Paragraph ( c ) Introductory Text-National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern
Meal components | Amount of food 1 per week (minimum per day) | ||
Grades K-5 | Grades 6-8 | Grades 9-12 | |
Fruits (cups) 2 | 2 1/2 ( 1/2 ) | 2 1/2 ( 1/2 ) | 5 (1) |
Vegetables (cups) 2 | 3 3/4 ( 3/4 ) | 3 3/4 ( 3/4 ) | 5 (1) |
Dark Green Subgroup 3 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Red/Orange Subgroup 3 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 1 1/4 |
Beans, Peas, and Lentils Subgroup 3 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Starchy Subgroup 3 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Other Vegetables Subgroup 34 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3/4 |
Additional Vegetables from Any Subgroup to Reach Total | 1 | 1 | 1 1/2 |
Grains (oz. eq.) 5 | 8-9 (1) | 8-10 (1) | 10-12 (2) |
Meats/Meat Alternates (oz. eq.) 6 | 8-10 (1) | 9-10 (1) | 10-12 (2) |
Fluid Milk (cups) 7 | 5 (1) | 5 (1) | 5 (1) |
Dietary Specifications: Daily Amount Based on the Average for a 5-Day Week8 | |||
Minimum-Maximum Calories (kcal) | 550-650 | 600-700 | 750-850 |
Saturated Fat (% of total calories) | <10 | <10 | <10 |
Added Sugars (% of total calories) | <10 | <10 | <10 |
Sodium Limit: In place through June 30, 2027 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,110 mg | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,225 mg | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,280 mg |
Sodium Limit: Must be implemented by July 1, 2027 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]935 mg | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,035 mg | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,080 mg |
1 Food items included in each group and subgroup and amount equivalents. | |||
2 Minimum creditable serving is 1/8 cup. 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 percent full-strength. | |||
3 Larger amounts of these vegetables may be served. | |||
4 This subgroup consists of "Other vegetables" as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(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 bean, peas, and lentils vegetable subgroups as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section. | |||
5 Minimum creditable serving is 0.25 oz. eq. At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly (by ounce equivalents) must be whole grain-rich as defined in § 210.2 and the remaining grains items offered must be enriched. | |||
6 Minimum creditable serving is 0.25 oz. eq. | |||
7 Minimum creditable serving is 8 fluid ounces. All fluid milk must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less) and must meet the requirements in paragraph (d) of this section. | |||
8 By July 1, 2027, schools must meet the dietary specification for added sugars. Schools must meet the sodium limits by the dates specified in this chart. Discretionary sources of calories may be added to the meal pattern if within the dietary specifications. |
Table 2 to Paragraph ( d )(2)( ii )-Nutrient Requirements for Fluid Milk Substitutes
Nutrient | Per cup (8 fl. oz.) |
Calcium | 276 mg. |
Protein | 8 g. |
Vitamin A | 150 mcg. retinol activity equivalents (RAE). |
Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg. |
Magnesium | 24 mg. |
Phosphorus | 222 mg. |
Potassium | 349 mg. |
Riboflavin | 0.44 mg. |
Vitamin B-12 | 1.1 mcg. |
Table 3 to Paragraph ( f )(1)-National School Lunch Program Calorie Ranges
Grades K-5 | Grades 6-8 | Grades 9-12 | |
Average Daily Minimum-Maximum Calories (kcal) 1 | 550-650 | 600-700 | 750-850 |
1 The average daily calories must fall within the minimum and maximum levels. Discretionary sources of calories may be added to the meal pattern if within the dietary specifications. |
Table 4 to Paragraph ( f )(4)-National School Lunch Program Sodium Limits
Age/grade group | Sodium limit: in place through June 30, 2027 (mg) | Sodium limit: must be implemented by July 1, 2027 (mg) |
Grades K-5 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,110 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]935 |
Grades 6-8 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,225 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,035 |
Grades 9-12 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,280 | [LESS THAN EQUAL TO]1,080 |
Table 5 to Paragraph ( o )(2)( ii )-Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern for K-12 Children
[Ages 6-18]
[Select two of the five components for a reimbursable snack]
Meal components 1 | Minimum quantities 2 |
Fluid milk 3 | 8 fluid ounces. |
Meats/meat alternates 4 | 1 ounce equivalent. |
Vegetables 5 | 3/4 cup. |
Fruits 5 | 3/4 cup. |
Grains 6 | 1 ounce equivalent. |
1 Must serve two of the five components for a reimbursable afterschool snack. Only one of the two components may be a beverage. | |
2 May need to serve larger portions to children ages 13 through 18 to meet their nutritional needs. | |
3 Must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less). Milk may be unflavored or flavored. | |
4 Alternate protein products must meet the requirements in appendix A to part 226 of this chapter. Yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). Information on crediting meats/meat alternates may be found in FNS guidance. | |
5 Juice must be pasteurized, full-strength juice. No more than half of the weekly fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice. | |
6 At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly (by ounce equivalents) must be whole grain-rich, as defined in § 210.2 , and the remaining grains items offered must be enriched. Grain-based desserts may not be used to meet the grains requirement. Breakfast cereal must have no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. Information on crediting grain items may be found in FNS guidance. |
Table 5 to Paragraph ( o )(3)( ii )-Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern for Preschoolers
[Select two of the five components for a reimbursable snack]
Meal components 1 | Minimum quantities | |
Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | |
Fluid milk 2 | 4 fluid ounces | 4 fluid ounces. |
Meats/meat alternates 3 | 1/2 ounce equivalent | 1/2 ounce equivalent. |
Vegetables 4 | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup. |
Fruits 4 | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup. |
Grains 5 | 1/2 ounce equivalent | 1/2 ounce equivalent. |
1 Must serve two of the five components for a reimbursable afterschool 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. Through September 30, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces. By October 1, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). Information on crediting meats/meat alternates may be found in FNS guidance. | ||
4 Pasteurized full-strength juice may only be offered to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal, including snack, per day. | ||
5 At least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, must be whole grain-rich. Grain-based desserts do not count toward meeting the grains requirement. Through September 30, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of total sugars per dry ounce. By October 1, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. |
Table 6 to Paragraph ( o )(4)(ii)-Infant Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern
Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
4-6 fluid ounces of breast milk 1 or formula 2 | 2-4 fluid ounces breast milk 1 or formula; 2 and |
0- 1/2 ounce equivalent bread; 3 4 or | |
0- 1/4 ounce equivalent crackers; 3 4 or | |
0- 1/2 ounce equivalent infant cereal; 2 4 or | |
0- 1/4 ounce equivalent ready-to-eat breakfast cereal; 3 4 5 6 and | |
0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. 6 7 | |
1 Breast milk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that breast milk be served from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk 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, enriched flour, bran, or germ. | |
4 Information on crediting grain items may be found in FNS guidance. | |
5 Through September 30, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of total sugars per dry ounce. By October 1, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. | |
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
[Select the appropriate components for a reimbursable meal]
Meal components and food items 1 | Minimum quantities | |
Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | |
Fluid milk | 4 fluid ounces 2 | 6 fluid ounces 3 . |
Meats/meat alternates 4 | 1 ounce equivalent | 1 1/2 ounce equivalents. |
Vegetables 5 | 1/8 cup | 1/4 cup. |
Fruits 5 | 1/8 cup | 1/4 cup. |
Grains 6 | 1/2 ounce equivalent | 1/2 ounce equivalent. |
1 Must serve all five components for a reimbursable meal. | ||
2 Must serve unflavored whole milk to children age 1. | ||
3 Must serve unflavored milk to children 2 through 5 years old. The milk must be fat-free, skim, low-fat, or 1 percent or less. | ||
4 Alternate protein products must meet the requirements in appendix A to part 226 of this chapter. Through September 30, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces. By October 1, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). Information on crediting meats/meat alternates may be found in FNS guidance. | ||
5 Juice must be pasteurized. Full-strength juice may only be offered to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal or snack, per day. Vegetables may be offered to meet the entire fruits requirement. When two vegetables are served at lunch or supper, two different kinds of vegetables must be served. | ||
6 Must serve at least one whole grain-rich serving, across all eating occasions, per day. Grain-based desserts may not be offered to meet the grains requirement. Through September 30, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of total sugars per dry ounce. By October 1, 2025, breakfast cereal must have no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. Information on crediting grain items may be found in FNS guidance. |
Table 8 to Paragraph ( q )(2)-Infant Lunch Meal Pattern
Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
4-6 fluid ounces breast milk 1 or formula 2 | 6-8 fluid ounces breast milk 1 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, peas, or lentils; 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 Breast milk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that breast milk be served from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk offered at a later time if the infant will consume more. | |
2 Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified. | |
3 Information on crediting grain items may be found in FNS guidance. | |
4 Through September 30, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces. By October 1, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). | |
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