Maine has received $73,808 in National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant funds. These funds from the United States Department of Agriculture will assist school food authorities (SFAs) in purchasing equipment needed to meet the new nutritional standards for schools as required by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
Maine must award these grants via a competitive application process to SFAs, giving priority to schools where 50 percent of more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals. In addition, SFAs must give priority to schools that did not receive a previous NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant award (e.g., ARRA and the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act). Additional criteria for awarding will include how the grant money will improve the quality and safety of the meals served to students.
For more information including the application, visit http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/equip.html or contact Maine DOE’s school nutrition staff David Hartley at 207-624-6878 or david.hartley@maine.gov or Walter Beesley at 207-624-6875 or walter.beesley@maine.gov.