The purpose of the 2021 USDA National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities is to address the infrastructure needs of eligible School Food Authorities (SFAs) in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The total amount of funding available is $1,976,365, with 40 anticipated awards ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per single applicant. This is a competitive, cost-reimbursement grant and funds will be awarded to SFAs to purchase equipment that meets at least one of the following four focus areas:

1. To improve nutrition and quality of meals;
2. To improve the safety of food served;
3. To improve overall energy efficiency;
4. To improve or expand participation

The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has prioritized their cafeteria needs based on the four focus areas and has prepared a grant application requesting $100,000 in funding for serving lines at Apollo Elementary, Imperial Estates Elementary, and Saturn Elementary. Due to the time constraint of the deadline for submission, the Superintendent signed the grant application in order to meet the February 4, 2022 deadline. The grant awards will be announced in the coming weeks and reimbursement requests must be submitted before the end of the grant period, which is September 23, 2023. A copy of the grant advertisement is attached, and the completed application packet is available in the Office of FNS for review.

Request approval to submit an application for the 2021 USDA National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.