The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Katie Lopez, Director of Nutrition Services at Aurora Public Schools (APS) in Colorado, the recipient of the Collection Grant to obtain $5,000 worth of Sterno Delivery insulated food carriers. The grant is among 2025 SNF Equipment Grants available to help school meal programs overcome staffing, budget or operational challenges. The additional funding supports programs working to expand fresh and scratch-made menu options, increase efficiencies and enhance the cafeteria experience to nourish students’ school days.
The APS Central Commissary Kitchen prepares and transports over 1,600 breakfasts and lunches daily to four schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Inadequate transport equipment is a challenge for staff as they work to preserve proper food temperatures and minimize food waste.
“Every APS student deserves access to high-quality, nutritious meals that fuel their bodies and minds and foster lifelong healthy eating habits,” said Lopez. “By securing the right equipment, we can enhance meal quality, boost participation and ensure that no student goes hungry during the school day, setting them up for success each day and in the future.”
New insulated food carriers will help the team maintain food temperatures and quality through transport, ensuring food arrives at satellite schools fresh and appealing to students. Lopez projects that improved quality can increase meal participation by 5-8% at the schools served, translating to an additional 125 meals a day and 21,000 meals per year.
“Ensuring consistency of meal temperatures and curbing waste are common concerns with satellite meal service. We’re grateful that this grant can help the APS team achieve their goals in an impactful way,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS.
As the recipient of the Collection Grant, Aurora Public Schools will work with Sterno Delivery representatives to have the food carriers delivered for the upcoming school year.
About School Nutrition Foundation:
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is the charitable arm of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). SNF supports school nutrition professionals by offering grants and scholarships, providing free training opportunities and identifying research, trends and innovations. The 2025 SNF Equipment Grants are made possible by the generous contributions of Alto-Shaam, AmTab, Cambro Manufacturing, Food Warming Equipment Company (FWE), Hobart (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC Brand), Innoseal, LTI, Inc., Sterno Delivery, Vulcan (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC brand), and Winston Foodservice.
About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
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