The Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) section of the Alabama State Department of Education is in the process of ensuring compliance with federal civil rights regulations in School Meal Programs. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires all School Meal Program sponsors to collect race and ethnicity data of applicants and participants. The purpose of this data collection effort is to determine how effectively School Meal Programs are reaching potentially eligible students. Responses have no effect on eligibility.