The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program in the United States that provides nutritious lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools. Established in 1946, the program aims to promote healthy eating habits and reduce childhood hunger by offering meals at free or reduced prices based on family income. The NSLP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and operates in over 100,000 schools nationwide. Schools participating in the program must meet specific nutritional guidelines to ensure that meals are balanced and healthy, contributing to the overall well-being of students.