CNP CN block programs total consolidated

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Minnesota Department of Education $145,498,842.50 on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant supporting nutritious meal service delivery to school children across Minnesota.

The award funds the State's administration and reimbursement of the National School Lunch Program through September 30, 2026, providing cash subsidies and USDA Foods to participating school districts and independent schools. Minnesota, as the State agency, determines school eligibility, reviews written applications from school food authorities, establishes agreements with participating institutions, and oversees compliance with Federal meal pattern requirements. Participating schools and residential child care institutions provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day and may claim reimbursement for snacks served in approved afterschool programs with educational or enrichment components.

The program operates in Minnesota public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions, with school food authorities required to maintain full and accurate records of nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, meal counting, and claiming, and to make records available to the State agency for review. Schools must offer lunches at free or reduced prices to eligible children and operate nonprofit food service available to all children regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.