NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant supports Illinois school food authorities with equipment purchases and renovations to improve meal quality, food safety, breakfast access, and operational efficiency.
This grant was recently updated
The FY 2027 funding notice sets a December 24, 2026, 4 p.m. application deadline and offers NSLP-operating School Food Authorities up to $25,000 to purchase or renovate one school food service equipment item. However, the page now also states it is archived and its content may no longer apply.
Funder: Illinois State Board of Education
Due Dates: December 24, 2026, at 4 p.m. (Application)
Funding Amounts: $1,000–$25,000 per SFA; $643,262 estimated total funding; at least 26 awards anticipated
Summary: Supports one school food service equipment purchase or renovation to improve school meals, food safety, breakfast access, or operational efficiency.
Key Information: Only Illinois School Food Authorities participating in NSLP may apply; one application and one equipment request per SFA.
Description
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) administers this competitive equipment grant with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. The program helps modernize school kitchens, address equipment disparities in underserved areas, and foster healthy food choices for students. FY 2027 awards support purchasing, replacing, or renovating one approved equipment item used in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or both.
Projects must address at least one program focus: improving meal nutrition and quality, including updated nutrition requirements; improving food safety; introducing or expanding SBP; increasing procurement, storage, or distribution efficiency; or making school nutrition services more convenient and appealing to students. Equipment may serve an individual site or centralized operations supporting multiple sites.
