This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2026 (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

I write you today to share my guiding principles regarding nutrition programs, and to encourage states to partner with us as innovative collaborators and policy incubators. Gone are the days of the status quo; today starts a new chapter for the Department, states, territories, tribal communities, and each who render or receive nutrition programs.

Please note that on May 14, 2007, FNS issued the attached Federal Register notice announcing a correction in the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods for school year 2007, which began on July 1, 2006 and runs through June 30, 2007.