Federal Grant Award Summary

The Social Services South Carolina Department received a Formula Grant award of $4.36 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods to support the provision of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to eligible school children throughout South Carolina's public and nonprofit private schools, as well as residential child care institutions.

As the state administrative agency, the South Carolina Department of Social Services utilizes this funding to determine school eligibility, establish written participation agreements with schools and institutions, and oversee compliance with federal meal pattern requirements and nonprofit food service operations. The department sub-awards portions of these grant funds to local school districts, charter schools, and community entities to facilitate direct meal service delivery. Schools participating in the program receive reimbursements for each qualifying meal served while maintaining comprehensive records of their nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, and meal counting procedures.