CNP CN block programs total consolidated

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Department of Education California $954,025,097 on October 1, 2025, for the National School Lunch Program (CFDA 10.555), a formula grant providing cash subsidies and USDA Foods to California schools to deliver nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children. The award extends through September 30, 2026, and covers place of performance in California.

The department received this funding as the state agency responsible for administering the program, which operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions across the state. Participating school districts and independent schools receive the cash subsidies and commodities for each reimbursable meal served, provided meals meet Federal meal pattern requirements and are offered at free or reduced price to eligible children. School food authorities maintain records of their nonprofit food service operations and submit applications to the state agency for program participation.

The Department of Education California passed funds through to over 80 local school districts, county offices of education, and charter school organizations across California as sub-recipients. These sub-recipients—including Mountain View School District, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, Livingston Union School District, Mountain View Whisman School District, San Mateo-Foster City School District, Guadalupe Joint Union School District, East Side Union High School District, San Francisco Unified School District, Redwood City School District, and many others—deliver nutritious breakfast services for school children through cash grants and food donations, consistent with the program's statutory purpose to assist states in providing such services.