Federal Grant Award Summary

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services received a Formula Grant award of $17.1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods to support nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunch services in public and nonprofit private schools, as well as residential child care institutions throughout Missouri. As the designated state agency administrator, MDHSS determines school eligibility, establishes written agreements with participating institutions, and maintains comprehensive records of nonprofit food service operations in compliance with federal nutritional requirements and meal pattern standards.

Through this federal-state agreement framework, MDHSS distributes grant funds to local school districts, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, and community entities to facilitate direct meal service delivery. Participating schools receive reimbursement for meals served to eligible children and may also obtain reimbursement for approved afterschool snacks, provided they maintain nonprofit food service operations available to all children regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The program aims to ensure nutritional access for eligible school-age children while promoting domestic consumption of agricultural commodities.