The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Joanne Rodriguez, Student Nutrition Manager for Bloomfield School District in NM, 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 Joanne Rodriguez, Student Nutrition Manager for Bloomfield School District in NM, 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.
Bloomfield Schools 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 directly improve student access to fresh produce within the rural district, which covers 1,500 square miles in northwest New Mexico. Limited access to grocery stores, long travel distances and lack of reliable transportation coupled with financial instability among families make it difficult for them to consistently access affordable, nutritious food.
School meals are provided free for all Bloomfield students as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP); many rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. Rodriguez and her team work to offer fresh, appealing meals to boost student participation in breakfast, lunch, afterschool snacks and summer meal programs. The Flex Farm system will provide fresh greens and herbs, complementing efforts in place, including two new greenhouses, an outdoor learning garden and the installation of new salad bars throughout the district.School meals are provided free for all Bloomfield students as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP); many rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. Rodriguez and her team work to offer fresh, appealing meals to boost student participation in breakfast, lunch, afterschool snacks and summer meal programs. The Flex Farm system will provide fresh greens and herbs, complementing efforts in place, including two new greenhouses, an outdoor learning garden and the installation of new salad bars throughout the district.
The Fork Farms grant provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution by allowing Rodriguez’s team to grow fresh produce onsite year-round. This innovation would ease financial strain and allow staff to focus more time on scratch cooking and meaningful meal prep incorporating the harvested produce. The Flex Farm will inspire new recipes centered on fresh, locally grown ingredients, giving students regular access to foods they may not otherwise experience. The Fork Farms grant provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution by allowing Rodriguez’s team to grow fresh produce onsite year-round. This innovation would ease financial strain and allow staff to focus more time on scratch cooking and meaningful meal prep incorporating the harvested produce. The Flex Farm will inspire new recipes centered on fresh, locally grown ingredients, giving students regular access to foods they may not otherwise experience.
“The Flex Farm will create opportunities for nutrition education and student engagement, helping students understand where their food comes from and why healthy choices matter,” said Joanne Rodriguez, Student Nutrition Manager. “I am deeply passionate about the positive impact this innovative program can have on our students and community; this represents a long-term investment in our students’ future.”
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.
“Student food insecurity and barriers to access fresh food is a reality that Joanne and her team compassionately work to overcome. It’s an honor to provide this grant to assist in their efforts to provide fresh produce for their menus,” said SNF Chair, Gay Anderson, SNS. SNF Chair, Gay Anderson, SNS.
s the recipient of the Fork Farms Grant, Bloomfield 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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