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The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Arizona Department of Education $385,043,678 on October 1, 2025, under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant supporting nutritious lunch service in Arizona schools through the period ending September 30, 2026.

The National School Lunch Program provides cash subsidies and USDA Foods to participating public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions, enabling them to offer nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day. Schools must meet Federal meal pattern requirements and offer lunches at free or reduced price to eligible children. School food authorities may also receive reimbursement for snacks served to children in approved afterschool programs with educational or enrichment components.

As the designated state education agency, Arizona Department of Education administers the program statewide, reviews school food authority applications for program participation, determines school eligibility, enters into written agreements with participating institutions, and maintains oversight of nonprofit food service operations. The state agency ensures schools maintain full and accurate records of finances, menu planning, meal counting, and claiming activities, and makes these records available for state review.

Place of performance is Arizona. The assistance type is a formula grant, which operates through a permanent federal-state agreement under which all participating states administer the program in collaboration with local schools and institutions.