CNP CN block programs total consolidated

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Pennsylvania Department of Education $391,254,951 on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant providing cash subsidies and USDA Foods to support nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions across Pennsylvania through September 30, 2026.

The National School Lunch Program assists states in providing reimbursable meal service to school children while encouraging domestic consumption of agricultural commodities. Participating school districts and independent schools receive cash subsidies and commodity foods for each meal served; in exchange, they must serve lunches meeting federal meal pattern requirements and offer free or reduced pricing to eligible children. School food authorities may also claim reimbursement for afterschool snacks tied to educational or enrichment activities. The state agency determines school eligibility, reviews written applications from school food authorities, and maintains oversight of nonprofit food service operations, including records of finances, pricing, menu planning, meal counting, and claiming. All participating schools must operate nonprofit food service available to children regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, operating through its Budget & Fiscal Management Division and Comptroller's Office, serves as the recipient and administers the award, distributing sub-awards to local school districts, intermediate units, and charter schools throughout the Commonwealth. The award is a formula grant, the assistance type for state-administered child nutrition programs.