Child Nutrition Programs

The Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), administers the following reimbursement programs: National School Lunch and Breakfast, Child and Adult Care Food, USDA Foods, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, Special Milk, After School Care Snack, and Summer Food Service Programs. All programs are designed to safeguard the health, nutrition, and wellbeing of Ohio’s children and older adults; encourage consumption of nutritious agricultural foods; and give children and older adults an understanding of the relationship between proper eating habits and good health.

The office supports Ohio’s schools (public and nonpublic), private licensed residential childcare institutions, child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes. The independent centers and sponsoring organizations enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Education to assume administrative and financial responsibility for child nutrition program operations. These agreements assure that meals, milk and/or snacks served meet federal nutrition guidelines.

Child And Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally-funded United States Department of Agriculture program administered by the Office of Integrated Student Supports. The program enables child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes to provide nutritious meals and snacks as a regular part of their day care and that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth and development of infants, young children and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons. The program provides reimbursement for nutritious snacks as well as breakfast, lunch and supper meals served to children or adults enrolled for care at participating day care centers, after school care programs or day care homes. | Learn More

USDA Foods Program

The Ohio USDA Foods Program distributes USDA donated foods, intended to account for no more than approximately 20% of a school district’s total school lunch budget, to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or the Summer Food Service Program. | Learn More

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides any school of high school grades or under recognized by the state of Ohio as operating under public or nonprofit private ownership; any public or nonprofit classes of pre-primary grades when conducted in the aforementioned schools; and any public or nonprofit, private licensed Residential Child Care Institution reimbursement for breakfast, lunches, milk, and/or snacks served to students that meet federal requirements. | Learn More

Fresh Fruit And Vegetable Program

Elementary schools in Ohio on NSLP are eligible to apply for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) if at least 50% of the student enrollment qualifies for free or reduced price school meal benefits to provide all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. | Learn More

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a USDA program offered through the Ohio Department of Education that provides nutritious meals and snacks in sites that meet eligibility requirements. Used primarily during the summer months, this USDA program provides reimbursement for meals served to children when school is not in session and also provides reimbursement for meals served during year-round school breaks. | Learn More

Filing a civil rights complaint

The Ohio Department of Education complies with all Federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in child nutrition programs, and with all requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Participants in a child nutrition program may submit civil rights complaints to the Ohio Department of Education. Please refer to the Civil Rights Complaints policy for more information. 


This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Last Modified: 9/27/2023 2:23:52 PM