The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Megan Berry, Director of Nutrition Services for Marceline R-V School District in Missouri, the recipient of one of two grants worth up to $50,000 in Winston Foodservice Equipment. 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.
Berry and her staff are challenged to feed 220 students with an underperforming oven that doesn’t cook evenly. Half-cooked pans require constant monitoring and rotating, often resulting in burned or undercooked areas. The holding cabinets at the elementary school are barely able to keep food at temperature, requiring staff to reheat food multiple times with some items not cooked properly and increasing waste. The ability to keep food to temperature also potentially affects health inspections. A new double oven and a commercial grade stove would take much stress off the team.
“Receiving new equipment will greatly benefit our students and staff and financially impact our district in a positive way,” said Berry. “Hot, healthy and nutritious meals served to our students and staff daily allows our participation to raise in all buildings. Students work better in their classrooms when their nutritional needs are met.”
Berry said the new equipment will allow for more hot lunch options, thus increasing lunch program participation at all district schools. New equipment will also save the district from the costly repairs to old equipment that are need regularly.
“We are happy to assist the Marceline R-V School District with much-needed upgrades to inefficient equipment,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS. “Megan and her dedicated staff are committed to serving healthy and delicious meals and the Winston Equipment Grant award will allow them to increase meal options and streamline meal preparation.”
As the recipient of the Winston Equipment Grant, Marceline R-V 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.
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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