Federal Grant Award Summary

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) received a Formula Grant award of $129.2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award provides cash subsidies and nutritionally balanced meal services to eligible students in Illinois public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. ISBE, as the designated state agency administrator, is responsible for determining school eligibility, establishing written participation agreements with schools and institutions, and maintaining comprehensive compliance records. The funding supports the provision of low-cost or no-cost lunches to children while ensuring participation in the program is available to all students regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

As the prime recipient, ISBE distributes sub-awards of grant funds to local school districts, charter schools, and nonprofit organizations throughout Illinois to facilitate direct meal service delivery. Participating schools must meet federal meal pattern requirements and serve reimbursable meals while maintaining detailed records of nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, and meal counting procedures. The program operates under a standing federal-state agreement framework, with ISBE serving as the administrative pass-through entity responsible for program oversight, compliance monitoring, and accountability across Illinois's school districts and child care institutions.