By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Kraft Heinz is no longer making its packaged lunch brand Lunchables for low-income students receiving free and reduced-price meals from a federal program due to weak demand, according to a company statement, the latest blow to one of its best-known products.

Chicago-based Kraft Heinz announced plans to sell to the school lunch program early last year at an industry conference, saying it would target the $25-billion educational market.

But demand fell short of the packaged food manufacturer's expectations, the company said, as it looks to revive its well-worn brands such as Lunchables, Jell-O and Crystal Light, and grow sales volumes, which have faltered after multiple price hikes.

A 3.2-ounce (90-gram) ham and American cheese Lunchables sells for $1.87 on Walmart.com.

“While many school administrators were excited to have these options, the demand did not meet our targets," Kraft Heinz said in a statement. "This happens occasionally across our broad portfolio, especially as we explore new sales channels. Lunchables products are not available in schools this year and we hope to revisit at a future date."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school lunch program provides free and low-cost lunches to about 30 million children who are from low-income families or meet other federal requirements.

Kraft Heinz hoped the move would expand its distribution and sales, and help the food company reach new consumers. Schools were eager to serve pre-made lunches that do not require additional labor to prepare. But the launch fell flat after U.S. consumer-watchdog group Consumer Reports said in April that Lunchables for the school lunch program had high sodium levels, raising questions about whether the cracker-and-bread-based meal kits should be served to kids in kindergarten through high school.

The company said in a statement on Tuesday that "all Lunchables products are safe and made with quality ingredients that meet our own high standards as well as strict safety standards set by government agencies."

"Nothing is more important to us than the quality and safety of our food," the company said, adding that the reason for pulling the product from the school lunch program was unrelated to Consumer Reports' findings.

Lunchables, created in the 1980s for time-strapped working moms, dragged on Kraft Heinz's overall sales in its quarter ended Sept. 28. Sales directly to shoppers were down 15%, Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera said on a call with investors on Oct. 30.