A growing awareness about food supplies, food shortages, and conservation of natural resources has resulted in public concern over food waste within the National School Lunch Program. Prior to 1976, all participating students were required to take all five items offered on a planned menu. In October 1975, the Offer v. Serve Provision was enacted as a Congressional mandate to curtail food waste in schools. Under this designation, students must be offered all five items of a school lunch pattern. At first only senior high students had the freedom to select the three, four, or five food items they intended to consume. The offer and serve provision was subsequently extended to include junior high, middle, and elementary students. The freedom to choose menu offerings do not affect the lunch selling price established by the local school board. This manual explains legislative and regulatory history, lunch components, sample menus and student choices, pricing requirements, menu and production planning, merchandising, and benefits of the Offer and Serve program. (MLH)