Formula Grant 267CACA8N1803

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded California Department of Education a formula grant of $8.91 million under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award provides administrative funding to support California's management and oversight of the Summer EBT program, which delivers nutrition benefits to eligible children during summer months when school is not in session. The administrative funds enable the state to process applications, maintain records, coordinate with local educational agencies, and manage the distribution of EBT benefits to children who were determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the prior school year or summer period.

Through this formula grant, California administers the delivery of nutrition benefits loaded onto Summer EBT cards that eligible children use to purchase food from approved retailers throughout the designated summer period. The program targets reducing childhood hunger and food insecurity during the critical summer months when children lose access to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. As a permanent, continually funded program, this award reflects California's annual allocation based on eligible participant populations, with the state maintaining flexibility to distribute benefits either as a lump sum or on a monthly basis throughout its summer period.