CNP CN block programs total consolidated

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services $29,538,665 on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant supporting nutritious meal services in schools and residential child care institutions throughout North Carolina.

The award funds the state agency's administration and distribution of cash subsidies and USDA Foods to participating school food authorities, enabling them to provide low-cost or no-cost lunches that meet federal meal pattern requirements to eligible school children. The state agency determines school eligibility, reviews written applications from school food authorities, establishes written participation agreements, and oversees school compliance with nonprofit operation standards, meal counting and claiming procedures, and financial record-keeping requirements.

The funding period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with performance across North Carolina. NC DHHS serves as the designated state administering agency for NSLP and distributes federal resources to participating school districts and independent schools throughout the state's 100 counties. The National School Lunch Program operates as a permanent, federally assisted meal program in which all states and territories participate via federal-state agreement; participating schools must serve meals available to all children regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.