Brain Food: Updated NSLP and SBP Participation Analyses Now Available 2020-01-21We have sliced and diced the numbers into bite-size graphs and tables, using only the freshest USDA FNS Data on participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Here are some highlights: Overall Average Daily Participation: Lunch: An average of 29.49 million students participated in the NSLP each day in the 2018-19 school year. This is a 0.54% decrease in the average daily number of students participating compared to the same timeframe of the previous school year, and a 7.03% decrease when compared to the 2011-12 school year. Breakfast: An average of 14.71 million students participated in the SBP each day in the 2018-19 school year. This is a .16% increase in the average daily number of students participating compared to the same timeframe the previous school year, and a 14.81% increase when compared to the 2011-12 school year. Average Daily Student Participation in Free, Reduced, and Paid Lunch and Breakfast: Lunch: Compared to the 2017-18 school year, there was a very slight increase (.14%) in the average daily participation of students in paid lunch, and slight decreases in the average daily participation of students in the reduced lunch (- 3.31%) and free lunch (- .56%) categories. Breakfast: Compared to the 2017-18 school year, there was a slight increase (2.36%) in the average daily number of students participating within the paid category, and slight decreases in the free (- 0.02%), and reduced-price (- 3.20%) categories. View SNA's detailed charts and tables that break down changes in school lunch and breakfast by category (free, reduced, and paid) over the last several years!