USDA Announces New Equipment Grant Program

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of $25 million in grants to help schools operating a National School Lunch Program replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient, appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and other food service related equipment. The new funding is a one-time fiscal year 2010 appropriation to State educational agencies.

FNS will award the grants to schools that participate in the NSLP and that did not receive an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grant for NSLP equipment assistance in FY 2009. Additionally, priority will be given to schools where 50 percent or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced price meals under the NSLP.