The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Paul Harris, Director of Nutrition Services for Tacoma Public Schools in WA, the recipient of the Cambro Equipment Grant to obtain a new ready-to-use vending cart with accessories valued at more than $13,000. 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.
The new vending cart will allow the team to diversify menu options for students at Tacoma’s Science and Math Institute (SAMI), which currently lacks a traditional kitchen. Meals are prepared off-site and delivered daily in boxed format, which can impact freshness, while limiting the school to offering cold menu options like sandwiches and salads. The new cart will allow the team to offer hot meal choices, improving the overall appeal of school meals and increasing student satisfaction. Additionally, modern equipment streamlines meal distribution, allowing staff to serve more students efficiently in locations throughout the building.
“A key nutritional impact of this grant would be the potential for more diverse menu options, including scratch-prepared meals, locally sourced ingredients and fresher food choices,” said Harris. “With the right equipment, we can explore more flexible meal service models that enhance the dining experience while aligning with farm-to-school initiatives and improved nutrition standards.”
Harris feels that better food quality and service efficiency will encourage more students to choose school meals over off-campus alternatives, helping to increase meal participation. Additionally, improved service options could broaden their reach to support after-school programs, summer feeding and special events.
“Providing solutions to help Harris and the nutrition services team expand menu options and streamline meal service is a wonderful result of this grant program,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS.
As the recipient of the Cambro Equipment Grant, Tacoma Public Schools will work with Cambro representatives to have the ready-to-use vending cart and accessories delivered for the upcoming school year.
In addition, Tacoma Public Schools was also awarded one of 50 Innoseal Set-up Kits, including two Innoseal Professional Sealers and a case of 28-pack multi-color refills. The SNF Innoseal Equipment Grant enables schools with an efficient bag sealing machine that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh.
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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