About 61 percent of school districts used direct certification in the NSLP in the 2001-02 school year, the same share as in 1996. Direct certification increased the number of children certified for free meals by about 400,000 and slightly increased overall NSLP participation. Under direct...

On an average school day, school lunch participants consume more fruits and vegetables, including relatively more at school and less away from school compared to nonparticipants.

An analysis of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) application records and state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation data revealed characteristics of school-age SNAP participants who are less likely to be matched in direct certification data matching processes....