National School Lunch Program Equipment Grant – Federal Fiscal Year 2026 – Competitive
Forecasted
National School Lunch Program Equipment Grant – Federal Fiscal Year 2026 – Competitive supports Minnesota school food authorities' equipment purchases to improve meal quality, food safety, and breakfast access.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 for one piece of equipment at one site; $276,058 total available
Summary: Supports Minnesota school food authorities purchasing equipment to improve school meal quality, food safety, and breakfast access.
Key Information: Reimbursement only; expenses incurred before full execution of the Official Grant Award Notification are not reimbursable.
Description
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), through its Nutrition Program Services team, administers this competitive, USDA-funded equipment grant for Minnesota school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program. Funding supports new equipment purchases, including replacement of existing equipment, rather than a broader research agenda. The program aims to improve the healthfulness and quality of school meals, strengthen food safety, and expand access to school meals.
Applications must address one of three improvement areas: improved food quality, improved food safety, or establishment, maintenance, or expansion of the School Breakfast Program. Examples include equipment supporting scratch cooking and local foods, refrigeration and hot or cold holding, and grab-and-go or classroom breakfast service.
