Federal Grant Award Summary

The Virginia State Board of Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness Division, received a $4.61 million Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP, CFDA 10.555), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods to support the delivery of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to eligible school children throughout Virginia. As the state administrative agency, the Virginia State Board of Health is responsible for determining school eligibility, reviewing written applications from school food authorities, establishing written agreements with participating institutions, and ensuring compliance with federal meal pattern requirements and nutritional standards.

The funding supports the NSLP's core mission of providing reimbursable meal service across public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The state agency distributes sub-awards to local school districts, charter schools, and community entities to facilitate direct meal service delivery. School food authorities receiving sub-award funding must maintain comprehensive records of their nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, and meal counting data, which are subject to state agency review. All participating schools must operate on a nonprofit basis and provide meals available to all children regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability.