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The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Department of Education Iowa $160.761 million under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) on October 1, 2025 for the period through September 30, 2026. The award provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods to support nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches served in Iowa schools and residential child care institutions. The Department of Education Iowa, a state agency acting as the prime recipient, distributes funding to school districts and independent schools statewide, which must maintain eligibility through written application and agreement with the state agency and serve meals meeting federal nutrition standards at free or reduced price to eligible children. Schools receiving reimbursement must maintain comprehensive records of nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, meal counting, and pricing, available for state agency review. The program operates statewide in Iowa with all participating schools and institutions required to provide meals available to all children regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability.