The Student Meal Program (SMP) was established by a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Defense (DoD) in 1980. Its purpose, as directed by the USDA regulations and guidelines is to provide wholesome, nutritious meals to children daily. DoDEA schools serve over seven million meals annually in the United States and overseas.

In the Pacific, the Program is operated by a School Food Authority (SFA) and is responsible for following the USDA regulations, guidelines and requirements of the SMP. While not the only SFA in the Pacific, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (The Exchange) is the largest provider of student meals on military installations. The Exchange also provides Free and Reduced-Price meals to students who qualify under Federal Guidelines. Additional, in certain areas the school lunch program is run by the Navy Exchange (NEX), Marine Corps Community Service (MCCS) and Prestige Foods. Each District in the Pacific (Okinawa, Japan, Korea), including Guam, can provide more information on eligibility for the program.