Welcome to the Child Nutrition section of the website. On this page, you will find resources to help students and their families to connect with our department. We hope that this page continues to grow and to be as interactive as possible.

Civil Rights Compliance and Procedures English and Spanish

The Arkansas Department of Education Child Nutrition Unit (CNU) administers the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program, the Afterschool Snack Program, the provides Seamless Summer Program and the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grants in the public schools in Arkansas.

The CNU provides technical assistance, training, monitoring, and processes claims for reimbursement of federal funds used in the operation of local school nutrition programs in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. 

Meal Service Resources

• This factsheet highlights how a variety of healthy foods from each MyPlate food group are included as part of a school lunch. Learn about ways to help children make healthy food and beverage choices at school. English Spanish

• School Lunch Quiz

• Thank a Food Service Worker Today Thank You Card 1 Thank You Card 2

• Child Nutrition Program Meal Service During COVID-19:  Best Practices for Parent Pick-Up of Meals and Snacks

• 2023 Free and Reduced Meal Information

Resources From the School Nutrition Association

• COVID-19 Thought Starters on Reopening Schools for SY 2020-2021, School Nutrition Association, 2020 (PDF)

• Chain Reaction, School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF)

• The Financial Blows of COVID-19, School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF)

• Sad, Mad, Bad and Occasionally Rad, School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF)

• Food, Fun and Creativity in the Time of COVID-19, School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF)

• Getting Through This Together, School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF) 

• The Intersection of Health, Duty and Compassion,  School Nutrition, Special Supplement 2020 (PDF)

Resources From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Considerations for Schools, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF)

• CDC Readiness and Planning Tool to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in K-12 Schools (PDF)

• COVID-19:  Quarantine vs. Isolation (PDF)

• What School Nutrition Professionals and Volunteers at Schools Need to Know about COVID-19 (PDF)

• Quarantine If You Might Be Sick (PDF)

• Isolate If You Are Sick (PDF)