National School Lunch Program

Regulations require that all school lunches meet the recommendation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

In addition, lunch must provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C

and calories as well as no more than 30% of calories from fat and less than 10% of calories from saturated fat.

Offer versus Serve 'Lunch'

Eagle Pass ISD has implemented "Offer versus Serve" at all grade levels except for our early childhood centers*.

Students may decline no more then two of the food components. Students must take full servings of at least 3 of the 5 food components for a lunch to be reimbursable.

Infographic of the five school lunch components and selection rules.

Offer Versus Serve: The 5 Meal Components

The 5 components of a school lunch are:

Meat or Meat Alternate (Protein)
Grain (Breads/Pastas)
Fruit
Vegetable
Milk

How to build your plate: You choose at least 3 components, which must include:

1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable
At least two other full components

For best nutrition, choose all 5!

Requirements for free student lunches and a-la-carte pricing.

Student Lunch Requirements

To qualify as a FREE meal, lunches MUST include:

1 serving of Vegetable or Fruit (1/2 cup)
AND at least 2 other food components (Meat, Bread, or Milk)

Important Note: If the meal does not meet these requirements, it must be purchased at A-La-Carte Prices.

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