Paid Lunch Equity
Section 7 CFR 210.14 (e) of the NSLP regulations requires that SFAs must ensure that schools are providing the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (i.e., paid lunches) as they are for lunches served to students eligible for free lunches. SFAs must compare the average price charged for lunches served to students receiving paid lunches to the difference between the higher federal reimbursement provided for free lunches and the lower federal reimbursement provided for paid lunches.
- CSDE Operational Memorandum No. 08-26: Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2026-27
- Equity in School Lunch Pricing Fact Sheet (USDA)
- FNS-828 School Food Authority Paid Lunch Price Report Data (USDA website)
- USDA Memo SP 06-2025: Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for SY 2026-27
- USDA Memo SP 39-2011: Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Guidance on Paid Lunch Equity and Revenue from Nonprogram Food
Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Tool
The USDA provides the PLE Tool annually to assist SFAs with making price adjustment calculations. During the NSLP application renewal process, SFAs must use the PLE Tool to ensure that paid lunch prices are set appropriately to cover the cost of a paid student meal. If the average paid lunch price is less than the difference, the SFA must either gradually adjust average prices or provide non-federal funding to cover the difference.
- Paid Lunch Equity Calculations and Tool: School Year 2026-27 (USDA)
- USDA Webinar: School Year 2024-25 Paid Lunch Equity Tool Walkthrough
Note: While this webinar refers to the 2024-25 PLE tool, its guidance also applies to the 2026-27 PLE tool.