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The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Louisiana Department of Education $432.923 million under the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555) on October 1, 2025, for the period through September 30, 2026. The award funds the state's administration and delivery of nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost school lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions across Louisiana. Participating school districts and independent schools receive cash subsidies and USDA Foods for each reimbursable meal served; in exchange, they must serve lunches meeting federal meal pattern requirements and offer meals at free or reduced price to eligible children.

The Louisiana Department of Education, operating under the Louisiana Department of Administration and registered with UEI WYXKK9CR1LE7, serves as the state agency responsible for determining school eligibility, reviewing written applications, and maintaining federal-state agreements with participating institutions. The department coordinates the program statewide and distributes federal funds to local school districts, charter schools, and community providers.

The award includes 66 sub-awards issued May 1, 2026, routing nutrition program funding to childcare centers, preschools, learning centers, school boards, charter schools, nonprofits, and community organizations across Louisiana. Sub-recipients range from school districts such as Caldwell Parish School Board and Calcasieu Parish School Board to for-profit and nonprofit childcare providers including Garden Of Angels Learning Center, Cenla Christian Childcare Center, and various independent early childhood programs. These sub-recipients deliver meals and snacks to eligible low-income children in licensed child care settings and schools throughout Louisiana under the Food and Nutrition Program for Louisiana Children.