Federal Formula Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education a formula grant of $1,151,813 under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP, CFDA 10.558) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This formula-based allocation supports the provision of nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults enrolled in nonresidential day care facilities, child care centers, day care homes, afterschool care programs in low-income areas, and emergency shelters throughout Massachusetts.

As the state administering agency, DESE receives these federal funds to reimburse and support nonprofit food service operations and distribute resources to local institutions, nonprofits, and day care providers. The award also funds state-level program administration expenses, including oversight, compliance monitoring, audit functions, and technical assistance to ensure participating institutions maintain civil rights compliance and provide equitable access to nutritious meals regardless of participant race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. DESE is responsible for maintaining permanent written agreements with participating institutions and ensuring comprehensive record-keeping and fiscal accountability across the program's operations.