CNP CN block programs total consolidated

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education $222,941,186 under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) on October 1, 2025, for the period ending September 30, 2026. The award supports the provision of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to school children across Missouri's participating public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions in compliance with Federal meal pattern requirements.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers the award as a formula grant to ensure that eligible school districts and independent schools receive cash subsidies and USDA Foods for each reimbursable meal served. Participating schools must serve lunches that meet Federal standards and offer meals at free or reduced price to eligible children. School food authorities submit written applications to the state agency for participation eligibility and maintain full records of nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, meal counting, and claiming activities.

The funding flows to 65 sub-recipients across Missouri—primarily local school districts, charter schools, and educational service organizations—that directly operate school lunch programs serving students. Sub-recipients include rural and small school districts (Center School District 58, Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District, Renick Reorganized School District 5, East Newton R-VI School District, Cowgill R-VI School District), mid-sized urban and suburban districts (Warrensburg R-VI, Wentzville R-IV, Kennett School District 39, Lindbergh Schools), charter schools and specialized educational providers (Kairos Academies, ST. Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts, Progress In Education Inc. North Side Community School, Believe Schools, Kipp Saint Louis Public Schools), and specialized school entities such as the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District Building Corporation and ST. James School District Foundation. These sub-recipients collectively serve eligible school-age children with federally supported meal services throughout the state.