The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the second largest federally subsidized food assistance program, serving approximately 31 million lunches each day. Nearly all public and private schools offer the federally reimbursed school meals program, which cost the federal government $9.3 billion to operate in 2008. This Issue Brief highlights the ways states can positively influence the diets of children at greatest risk for poor health by working with local schools to provide not just a reliable source of nourishment but the best nutrition possible for every dollar spent on the NSLP. In particular, it explores three key challenges schools face with respect to the NSLP and the strategies states can use to help them make the most of this important program: (1) Improving the nutritional quality of meal offerings; (2) Increasing NSLP enrollment rates; and (3) Making the most of limited NSLP funds. Working together, states and schools can find the best solutions to help each community maximize their NSLP funds and ensure students get the best nutrition possible. (Contains 42 notes.)