Federal Grant Award Summary

The Department of Education Delaware received a Formula Grant award of $42,913,365 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Nutrition Division for the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This funding supports the provision of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to school children across Delaware through cash subsidies and USDA Foods donations. As the state education agency, the Department of Education Delaware administers the program by determining school eligibility, establishing written participation agreements with schools and residential child care institutions, and maintaining comprehensive records of nonprofit food service operations to ensure compliance with federal meal pattern requirements and nutritional standards.

The Department of Education Delaware sub-awards the majority of these funds to local school districts, charter schools, and nonprofit food service entities throughout the state to directly deliver meal services to eligible students. Participating schools and institutions receive reimbursement for meals served to children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, while the state agency oversees program administration, record-keeping, and compliance monitoring across all participating entities within Delaware's jurisdiction.