National School Lunch Program - a federally assisted meal program operating in over 101,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 30.5 million children each school day (2007 figure). In 1998, Congress expanded the program to include reimbursement for snacks served to children in afterschool educational and enrichment programs to include children through 18 years of age. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents. (For the period July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, 130 percent of the poverty level is $27,560 for a family of four; 185 percent is $39,220.) >> HUNGER, POVERTY LEVEL