Federal Grant Award Summary

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, awarded a formula grant of $1,128,810.55 to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026 (CFDA 10.558). This award supports the reimbursement of nutritious meals and snacks provided to eligible children and adults enrolled in participating child care centers, day care homes, afterschool care programs in low-income areas, emergency shelters, and adult day care facilities throughout Arkansas. The program also funds sponsor administration costs, which cover the expenses associated with state and local institution participation and compliance with federal program requirements.

As a formula grant, this allocation is distributed to Arkansas as the state administering agency based on established federal formulas rather than through competitive application. The state agency is responsible for disbursing funds to approved child and adult care institutions, maintaining permanent written agreements with participating centers and facilities, processing institution applications within 30 calendar days, and ensuring compliance with federal record-keeping requirements and nonprofit food service standards. The program operates on a permanent agreement structure that may be amended to ensure adherence to all federal requirements.