sandwich and appleMCSD participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), feeding about 1,000 students for breakfast and 2,500 for lunch each day at our 10 schools. To participate in the NSLP program, schools and districts must prepare daily menus within strict dietary and budgetary constraints to receive critical operational funding. 

Budgetary Constraints

Like most schools and districts across Utah and the nation, MCSD is an NSLP participant receiving cash subsidies and food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help offset the cost. 

Reimbursement rates are $0.77 per fully paid lunch and $0.50 for a fully-paid breakfast.  Free or reduced lunches range between $3.93 and $4.33 per lunch and $2.37 and $2.67 for breakfast. The State of Utah also reimburses an additional $0.08 per meal for lunch only. 

However, subsidies don’t cover the entire cost of food, supplies, facilities, and payroll for food nutrition personnel. Most schools and districts also must charge families of students to fully make up the difference. Currently, MCSD’s fees are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $1.30 for elementary students; $1.45 for secondary students
  • Lunch: $1.90 for elementary students; $2.30 for junior high school students; $2.45 for high school students

Approximately 35% of our students qualify for free or reduced school lunches and breakfast. This program originated in 1946 as a win-win – helping needy families while absorbing growing farm surpluses. Families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced school meals as this funding is an important measure that impacts more than just the cost of lunch.

During the 2021-22 school year, Congress passed the Universal School Meal Program Act that waived all student lunch and breakfast fees. It was extended into the Summer months of 2022 before ending in July.

Dietary Constraints

apple on a bookTo receive NSLP reimbursements, school meals must meet federal nutrition standards. These requirements include:

  • 30% or less of the meal’s calories may come from fat;
  • 10% or less of the meal’s calories may come from saturated fat;
  • Meals must include one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.

Additionally, the USDA provides school officials with guidelines and recommendations through its Team Nutrition program. This includes tips to prepare healthy cafeteria choices, including strategies to reduce fat and sodium, while optimizing nutrient retention. 

SODEXO

Some districts manage school lunch and breakfast programs independently, while others use a third-party provider to organize and prepare school meals. MCSD contracts with SODEXO – a third-party vendor that manages school meal programs across the country. 

SODEXO employs dieticians and chefs to work with local communities to handle the entire process and thus ensure MCSD’s program meets federal standards and the unique needs of Murray.

Additional Information and Resources

Of course, families are allowed to prepare their own meals that are sent with children, and some secondary students are permitted to leave campus to obtain food at nearby establishments.

Finally, MCSD does have a USDA-subsidized school meal program that runs during the Summer months. Watch for more information about that each May in your school’s announcements.

Below you can find additional information and resources: