2026-28 National School Lunch Program Equipment (NSLP) Assistance Subgrant
2026-28 National School Lunch Program Equipment (NSLP) Assistance Subgrant supports School Food Authorities with equipment to improve meal quality, strengthen food safety, and maintain or expand school breakfast.
Funder: South Carolina Department of Education
Due Dates: November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per school; $384,909 total; initial project term January 1, 2027–December 15, 2027
Summary: Supports school food service equipment that improves meal quality and food safety and maintains or expands school breakfast.
Key Information: Funding is reimbursement-only, after equipment is received, installed, and paid for.
Description
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), through its Office of Health and Nutrition, administers this competitive, USDA-funded equipment assistance program for School Food Authorities (SFAs). It supports equipment purchases, renovation, replacement, installation, and training that help schools serve healthier meals, improve food safety, and maintain or expand the School Breakfast Program.
Projects must explain how the requested equipment supports practical improvements such as scratch cooking, fresh food storage, and upgraded meal operations. The program considers aging or missing equipment, procurement and storage efficiency, existing equipment funding, and lunchroom changes that make meals more convenient and appealing. Its goals include meaningful improvements in nutrition and meal quality, including implementation of updated school meal nutrition requirements.
