The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Betsy Roam, School Nutrition Director for Bartow County Schools in GA, recipient of the Fork Farms Equipment Grant to provide a new Flex Farm indoor hydroponic growing system. The grant is among 2026 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 School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Betsy Roam, School Nutrition Director for Bartow County Schools in GA, recipient of the Fork Farms Equipment Grant to provide a new Flex Farm indoor hydroponic growing system. The grant is among 2026 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.
Bartow County is one of four recipients of the grant (estimated $5,500 value each) for a new compact indoor hydroponic growing system, which can yield more than 394 pounds of fresh produce annually. The new Flex Farm will be installed in the cafeteria at Cass Middle School to help overcome challenges with rising costs and inconsistent quality of specialty
Committed to preparing a high volume of scratch-made meals, the staff of Cass Middle School will utilize the Flex Farm growing system to minimize labor associated with ordering, receiving and preparation of fresh options. The ability to harvest produce on-site as needed will help improve efficiency, ensure peak freshness and reduce food waste. Committed to preparing a high volume of scratch-made meals, the staff of Cass Middle School will utilize the Flex Farm growing system to minimize labor associated with ordering, receiving and preparation of fresh options. The ability to harvest produce on-site as needed will help improve efficiency, ensure peak freshness and reduce food waste.
The Flex Farm system will enable the team to maintain a reliable supply of fresh, high quality lettuces, herbs, fruits and vegetables to be used in salads, bowls, wraps and scratch recipes. Beyond meal service, hydroponic gardening in the cafeteria helps students learn about connections between agriculture, nutrition and healthy lifestyles and supports farm-to-school activities, reinforcing healthy eating habits and local food connections. The Flex Farm system will enable the team to maintain a reliable supply of fresh, high quality lettuces, herbs, fruits and vegetables to be used in salads, bowls, wraps and scratch recipes. Beyond meal service, hydroponic gardening in the cafeteria helps students learn about connections between agriculture, nutrition and healthy lifestyles and supports farm-to-school activities, reinforcing healthy eating habits and local food connections.
“Having fresh ingredients steps away from where our meals are prepared will help reduce purchasing costs, which over time will allow labor and funds to be redirected toward scratch cooking, nutrition education and student engagement,” said Betsy Roam, School Nutrition Director. “The increased freshness, variety and visibility of student-grown“Having fresh ingredients steps away from where our meals are prepared will help reduce purchasing costs, which over time will allow labor and funds to be redirected toward scratch cooking, nutrition education and student engagement,” said Betsy Roam, School Nutrition Director. “The increased freshness, variety and visibility of student-grown produce is expected to boost meal participation beyond NSLP and NSBP, supporting meal program sustainability as well as student excitement around school meals.”
In a recent School Nutrition Association survey of school meal program directors, 94% of respondents reported a need for more equipment and infrastructure to expand scratch preparation and reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods.
“We’re grateful that this grant can support the Cass Middle School team in their efforts to bring high quality, fresh options to their students, expand menus options and help alleviate some staffing burdens,” said SNF Chair, Gay Anderson, SNS.
As the recipient of the Fork Farms Grant, Bartow County Schools will work with Fork Farms brand representatives to have the Flex Farm system delivered this 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 2026 SNF Equipment Grants are made possible by the generous contributions of Alto-Shaam, AmTab, Cambro Manufacturing, Food Warming Equipment Company (FWE), Fork Farms, Hobart (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC Brand), Innoseal, LTI, Inc., 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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