The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Lori Danella, SNS, Nutrition Director at Lee’s Summit R-7 School District in MO, the recipient of one of two grants worth up to $50,000 in Winston Foodservice Equipment. 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.
About 10,000 students enjoy school meals across the district’s 25 sites each school day, and the nutrition program aims to increase its scratch-prepared menu items to increase student meal participation. Challenged by rising costs of food, supplies and staffing, the district’s recently diminished equipment budget will get a boost through the Winston grant to support three elementary schools and two high schools.
New warming units will improve the quality and appearance of meals, keeping fresh local vegetables from overcooking while they are safely held at temperatures before meal service. The upgrades will replace 15-21 year old units that no longer maintain constant temperature, which can dry out foods or deplete nutritional value and require extra staff time to manage. A new combi oven at the high school will greatly improve meal preparation capabilities and alleviate staff from constant monitoring currently needed to produce evenly cooked entrees.
“We take pride in our food service department and having proper equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring high quality meals are consistently available to nourish our students,” said Lori Danella, Nutrition Director at Lee’s Summit.
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.
“With rising costs squeezing the budget for equipment replacements, it’s so meaningful that this grant can support Lori and her colleagues in their efforts to maintain high quality and reduce waste in their program,” said SNF Chair, Gay Anderson, SNS.
As the recipient of the Winston Equipment Grant, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District will be awarded up to $50,000 worth of Winston equipment. They will work with Winston Foodservice representatives to get the needed equipment ordered and delivered for the next school year.
To view the grant winner’s video submission, visit: https://vimeo.com/1203611739
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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