CNP Meal Reimbursement Formula Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service awarded $3.79 million to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction through the State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition program (CFDA 10.560) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. This formula grant provides administrative funding to support North Carolina's oversight and delivery of technical assistance for federal child nutrition initiatives, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. The funding enables state-level management of critical food service functions such as meal reimbursement processing, commodity distribution oversight, and technical support to local nutrition service providers across the state's public schools and educational institutions.

As the state education agency responsible for administering child nutrition programs across North Carolina's 2,557 public schools and 203 charter schools, NC DPI utilizes these administrative expense funds to support the operational infrastructure necessary for effective program implementation at the local level. The award follows the standard formula allocation methodology established under CFDA 10.560, which bases state allocations on prior-year child nutrition program expenditures. NC DPI is required to maintain detailed accounting records, execute a written agreement with the USDA, and conduct annual single audits in compliance with federal requirements.