Title 42 › Chapter 13— SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS › § 1769b–1
The Secretary must run training and give technical help to improve the skills of people who work in federal school and other feeding programs. The Secretary must also give competitive grants to states so high-poverty schools (those with at least 50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals) can buy or upgrade technology and information systems. States may use any leftover money to help other schools. To get money, a school or food authority must give a plan that shows cost savings, protects student privacy (no special tokens or lists that identify children), handles and checks free/reduced-price meal applications, links menu and serving data to check program rules, and works with statewide reporting. The Secretary must also give competitive help to states with few schools in the school breakfast program and the greatest need to start or grow breakfast programs. The Secretary may fund a food service management institute at the University of Mississippi (with the University of Southern Mississippi) to improve school and other federally assisted meal programs. The institute must do research and teach best practices. Its work includes menu planning, following rules, program accountability, smart use of buildings and money, computer use, buying food, sanitation, safety (like food handling, HACCP plans, emergency readiness, recalls, and biosecurity), nutrition, cooking skills, and making training materials. It must build a national network of trainers and act as a clearinghouse for research. The Secretary must coordinate with the institute and use it for nutrition work. Funding includes an annual transfer of $5,000,000 from the Treasury starting October 1, 2010 (available until spent) for the institute, authority to fund additional years back to fiscal 1995 as needed, possible extra discretionary funds, and separate Treasury transfers on set dates ($3,000,000 on Oct. 1, 2004 and 2005; $2,000,000 on Oct. 1 of 2006–2009; and $4,000,000 on Oct. 1, 2010 and each year after) to support training, technical help, and reviews to improve program integrity and accuracy.
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The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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42 U.S.C. § 1769b–1
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60