Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Nutrition Division awarded Alabama State Department of Education a formula grant of $1.25 million under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP, CFDA 10.558) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This funding 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 across Alabama. The program operates through a permanent written agreement between the state administering agency and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, with funds subsequently distributed to local institutions, nonprofits, and day care providers serving eligible participants.

In its role as the state administering agency, the Alabama State Department of Education utilizes CACFP funding to reimburse approved child and adult care institutions for nutritious meal and snack services while also supporting state-level program administration, oversight, and technical assistance. The program prioritizes equitable access and civil rights compliance, requiring participating institutions to provide food services available to all eligible participants regardless of protected characteristics. Sub-recipients include the Central Alabama Aging Consortium, which implements nutrition and food assistance initiatives serving vulnerable populations across central Alabama through collaborative partnerships with state and local agencies.