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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

School Nutrition Equipment Assistance for High Need Districts
Fund Code: 722

Purpose:The purpose of the competitive School Nutrition Equipment Assistance Grant for High Need Districts is to allow School Food Authorities (SFA) to purchase equipment to serve healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns, with emphasis on serving more fruits and vegetables in school meals, including items purchased locally, improving food safety, and expanding access.

Priorities:Schools where 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Schools that did not receive a School Nutrition Equipment Assistance for High Need Districts grant in 2010 (ARRA), 2011 (USDA), or FY14, FY15, FY16, FY17 (USDA).

Eligibility:School districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program during the 2017-2018 school year and are in good standing with the Child Nutrition Program reporting requirements may apply for schools where at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced-priced meals. Schools must be in compliance with the new meal pattern regulations.

Funding Type:Federal CFDA 10.579

Funding: Approximately $357,877 is available to support grant awards up to $20,000 per school. The Department will award 20 to 30 competitive grants.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Fund Use:In general, the funds may be used for purchasing equipment for the implementation of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in (and only in) the specific school requesting the grant. Examples include equipment for heating, cooking, holding, serving, and refrigeration of foods used in the NSLP. The grant funds can be used for installation and delivery costs of the equipment purchased. Equipment requests may include new equipment, renovation of equipment, or replacement of equipment. If the equipment purchased for the school is ever sold, the proceeds must be returned to the School's Nutrition Program Account.

Project Duration:Upon approval to 6/30/2018
Program Unit:Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Contact:Kerry Callahan
Phone Number:(781) 338-6462
Date Due:Friday, January 12, 2018

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Required Forms:
Download Word Document
Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
Download Excel Document
Part II - Budget Detail Pages (Include both pages.)
Download Word Document
Part III - Required Program Information
Additional Information:

  1. All equipment purchased with these grants funds must be tagged with a label identifying it as being purchased with FY18 USDA School Nutrition Assistance Grant Funds.

  2. Definition of Equipment is $5,000 and over, meeting the Local, State, and Federal capitalization threshold.

  3. School Food Authorities (SFA) awardees will adhere to all Federal, State, and Local procurement laws and standards, including, if applicable, as found in 7 CFR Part 210.21 and 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.326

  4. Awardees (SFAs) are required to report the following data to the State Agency for inclusion in the quarterly progress activity reports to USDA:

    • Progress made in expending funds
    • Types of equipment purchased
    • Accomplishments and challenges in expenditure activities
    • Impact of purchased equipment on the school food service operation
    • Reason(s) for any unliquidated funds
    • Potential return of equipment

  5. State Contract User Guide
Submission Instructions: Submit three sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/ Executive Director.

Mail to:

Kerry Callahan
Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906

 Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and Part I in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, State or local agencies, and their sub recipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form Download PDF Document, (AD-3027) found online at: Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

  2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or

  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.