School Food Equipment Grants

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – a $789 billion economic recovery and stimulus package designed to stimulate the US economy. Several items within the bill positively benefit child nutrition programs including $100 million in school food equipment grant assistance – a provision that will save and create jobs in the foodservice equipment manufacturing sector as well as benefitting the quality of food provided through school nutrition programs. Below are resources and tools designed to help school nutrition professionals utilize the new grant program. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a listing by state of grant applications and information.

NEW! National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance - ARRA Recovery Plan June 11, 2009

Recovery.gov website on School Food Equipment Grant Program

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Website on ARRA School Food Equipment Grants

Equipment Specifications for the 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities (ARRA) April 16, 2009
"While SFAs may use many equipment specifications from many different companies as a reference in writing their solicitation documentation, an SFA must not allow any company that plans to bid on the procurement, or its representatives, to write the specifications."

Additional 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities Questions and Answers April 8, 2009
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Memo SP 23-2009 providing additional information and answers on the school food equipment grants.

Proposed Requirements for Reporting Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) April 3, 2009 Proposed reporting requirements for ARRA school food equipment grants.

2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities Questions and Answers March 20, 2009
The information at this link addresses follow-up questions USDA received from Regional Offices and State agencies regarding allowable usage of the ARRA funds.

Memo from USDA: 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities March 9, 2009
On March 9, 2009, USDA released new guidance on implementation of the onetime American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) appropriation of $100,000,000 for equipment assistance to school food authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Funds will be allocated to each state based on states’ total school meals administrative expense allocation for Fiscal Year 2009.

Equipment Solutions: Plug into Profitability SNF Webinar Recording Now Available. Click here for Discussion Forum

Equipment Purchasing and Facility Design for School Nutrition Programs From the National Food Service Management Institute, 2009. This resource will give school nutrition directors a competitive advantage as they approach their equipment purchases and facility design projects as Trusted Advisors.

Large Equipment for School Nutrition Programs Searchable database from SNA's CN Marketplace, organized by category.

USDA Equipment Guide This guide presents a decision making process and critical pathway approach to purchasing conventional food service production equipment, 1999.

Equipment Efficiency for Healthy School Meals Reference list from the National Food Service Management Institute.

Memo from USDA on Stimulus Provision February 28, 2009 - Original memo from USDA from late February.

School Nutrition Equipment Funding Included in Stimulus Original SNA web story on school food equipment grants.

General Procurement Information for School Nutrition

General grant writing tips from K12 Grants website

Additional grant writing tips

School Food Equipment Grants News from the States

ALASKA

Fact Sheet on School Food Equipment Grants from office of Senator Mark Begich

arkansas

Arizona

California

Equipment Assistance Grant Winners
2009 Equipment Assistance Grants Information Expected Notification Date June 30, 2009

colorado

connecticut

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia has been awarded a one-time appropriation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) of $215,765 for equipment assistance grants for the DC Public School Food Authority participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).