Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Arkansas Department of Agriculture $3.85 million in formula grant funding effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, under CFDA 10.560 (State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition). This award supports the state agency's administrative functions in supervising and providing technical assistance for child nutrition programs, specifically funding meal reimbursement administration activities. The allocation is determined by formula based on the prior fiscal year's program expenditures across the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

As a formula grant recipient, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is obligated to maintain comprehensive accounting records documenting fund authorizations, obligations, balances, assets, liabilities, and outlays. The state agency must conduct annual single audits and obtain approval of its State Administrative Expenses plan from the Food and Nutrition Service prior to fund release. The grant permits carryover of up to 20 percent of allocated funds into the succeeding fiscal year, providing the state agency with flexibility in managing administrative expenses related to child nutrition program oversight at the local school and institution level.