United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch) The National School Lunch Program provides low cost or free lunches to students, based on the student’s family size and income. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals.