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The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Arkansas Department of Agriculture $111 million in formula grant funding on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) to support nutritious nonprofit lunch service for school children across the state.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture administers the National School Lunch Program through a cooperative agreement with public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions throughout Arkansas. The award provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods that enable participating school food authorities to serve nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches meeting federal meal pattern requirements. Eligible children receive meals at free or reduced price; schools and institutions must maintain nonprofit food service operations open to all children regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. The State agency determines school eligibility, reviews written applications from school food authorities, and executes written agreements with participating schools and institutions. School food authorities must maintain full and accurate records of their nonprofit food service operations, including finances, menu planning, and meal counting and claiming, available for State agency review.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with performance in Arkansas. The assistance type is formula grant.