The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Paula Bailey, Food Service Director for Watson Chapel School District in Arkansas, the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant for school cafeteria furniture worth up to $200,000. 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.
According to Bailey, the district high school cafeteria has an industrial and drab feel that does not reflect the dynamic energy of the school. The old, heavy and difficult-to-clean conference style tables and chairs do not provide a warm and inviting place where students want to eat and hang out, despite staff efforts to brighten the space with colorful pictures of students and events.
“Our surveys list the cafeteria’s atmosphere as one of the main reasons students prefer not to eat lunch there,” said Bailey. “The cafeteria is also used by our band and dance programs and other community groups. Upgrades are needed to provide them with a more functional area and a nicer, more inviting space for celebratory school events.”
Bailey said a new look in the cafeteria will increase meal program participation, which in turn can help ease budget concerns and enable the school nutrition team to have a greater positive impact on student eating habits. As a Provision 2 school, all students are eligible to eat meals for free but only about 45% of students currently participate in school meal programs. Bailey adds that once students want to spend time in the cafeteria, they will see and smell the delicious foods prepared and be more likely to eat healthy school meals.
“A school’s environment affects how students feel physically, mentally and emotionally and it’s important to provide students with a warm, welcoming place to eat,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS. “The AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant will assist the Watson Chapel School District with the transformation of their cafeteria into an inviting place for students.”
As the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant, Watson Chapel School District will be awarded up to $200,000 worth of AmTab furniture. They will work with AmTab representatives to determine what best suits their school district’s specific needs.
In addition, Watson Chapel School District 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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