Formula Grant 263MO304N1199

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a Formula Grant award of $73.4 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 funding supports the provision of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to eligible school children across Missouri's public and nonprofit private schools, as well as residential child care institutions. As the state agency administering the program, the department determines school eligibility, manages written participation agreements with schools and institutions, and maintains oversight of nonprofit food service operations to ensure compliance with federal meal pattern requirements and nutritional standards.

The award funds both cash subsidies and USDA Foods distributed to participating school food authorities and districts, which in turn deliver direct meal services to students. State administration responsibilities include reviewing school applications for program participation, maintaining comprehensive financial and operational records, and coordinating with local school districts and institutions to ensure that meals are provided on a nonprofit basis and made available to all eligible children regardless of demographics. The program operates under a standing federal-state agreement framework, with the state agency serving as the primary administrative entity responsible for program implementation and oversight across Missouri's school nutrition infrastructure.