About NSLW
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day. President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.
During this annual weeklong celebration, SNA members and students around the country celebrate in their cafeterias, schools and districts with special menus, events, student activities and more.
The 2020 NSLW theme Now Playing: School Lunch! puts a spotlight on how today’s school cafeterias are serving up big hit menu items that kids love while capitalizing on the popularity of movies to appeal to students in all grade levels.
SNA’s #NSLW20 campaign offers the “big picture” of tools and resources, including downloadable artwork and social media tips, to help you plan a successful celebration and promote your program to students, parents and the local community.
Why participate in NSLW?
Recognizing NSLW in your school and district helps you:
- Increase student participation
- Spread the message to parents that you’re serving healthy, delicious lunch at school
- Earn media coverage from local papers, TV stations and bloggers
- Connect with teachers and administrators at your school or in your district to spread the word that school meals are healthy and delicious
What if the timing doesn’t work for us?
NSLW 2020 is scheduled for October 12-16 by an act of Congress, but if your district is observing a holiday or teacher workday during that week you can celebrate the week before, the week after, or anytime—it’s up to you!