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The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the South Carolina Department of Education $396,931,332 on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant funding the provision of nutritious, low-cost or no-cost lunches to school children across the state.

The award supports SCDOE's administration of the program statewide through September 30, 2026. SCDOE distributes funding to participating school districts and independent schools in South Carolina, which receive cash subsidies to serve reimbursable meals meeting Federal meal pattern requirements. Participating schools offer lunches at free or reduced prices to eligible children and may also claim reimbursement for snacks served through approved afterschool programs with educational or enrichment components. Schools maintain records of nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, meal counting, and claiming, made available to SCDOE for review. The program operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions, with all participating schools agreeing to operate a nonprofit food service available to all children regardless of race, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), color, national origin, age, or disability.