The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Ramona Love, Child Nutrition Coordinator for East Central Independent School District in Texas, the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Outdoor Furniture Grant for school cafeteria furniture worth up to $50,000. 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.
East Central High School’s dated outdoor furniture offers very limited seating and CAST Lead High lacks outdoor seating entirely, preventing students from enjoying a comfortable setting to eat outside. Love envisions creating a welcoming, enjoyable social dining environment where students can relax and interact with their peers in a vibrant, open-air setting. As district enrollment increases, more seating options will be required for students, and expanding outdoor community eating spaces can have positive social-emotional benefits. Students report that eating outside helps them reduce their overall stress level and improve their mood.
“By providing an inviting and enjoyable space to eat, students would be more likely to eat our cafeteria meals, which provide nutritious and delicious menu options. We want to expose our high school students to our locally sourced, homemade menu items,” said Love. “A modern outdoor eating area would help promote a positive and healthy environment and encourage our students to choose nutritious options from the cafeteria, rather than skipping meals or relying on less nutritious alternatives.”
Love said a well-designed outdoor food court will encourage students to gather, build friendships, and create positive memories associated with school meals. She adds that students have vocalized their desire to eat lunch outside in good weather. The grant will provide essential funding to add outdoor tables and chairs at both schools.
“It’s important for schools to provide a comfortable area for students to enjoy meals outdoors and we are thrilled to help East Central Independent School District achieve that goal,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS. “Spending time outdoors helps students reset, recharge and refocus for the remainder of their school day.”
As the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Outdoor Furniture Grant, East Central Independent School District will receive up to $50,000 worth of AmTab outdoor furniture. They will work with AmTab representatives to get the needed furniture ordered and delivered for the next 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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