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 improvements to serve healthier meals, improve food safety, and strengthen school breakfast.
Funder: South Carolina Department of Education
Due Dates: October 21, 2026 (Technical assistance) | November 20, 2026 (Applications) | January 2027 (Initial award notification) | December 15, 2027 (Initial funds obligation) | January 2028 (Additional award notification) | September 30, 2028 (Additional equipment purchases and obligations) | December 30, 2028 (Final report)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per school; $384,909 total available; initial term January 1, 2027–December 15, 2027
Summary: Equipment assistance for School Food Authorities to improve school meals, food safety, and school breakfast operations.
Key Information: Reimbursement occurs only after equipment is received and installed and all invoices are paid.
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 enable schools to serve healthier meals, improve food safety, and maintain or expand the School Breakfast Program.
Applications must explain how equipment supports healthier meals, scratch cooking, fresh food storage, equipment upgrades, and breakfast operations. The program considers aging or missing equipment, procurement and food-service efficiency, available state and local equipment funding, and lunchroom changes that make meals more convenient and appealing to students. Investments should deliver meaningful improvements in nutrition and meal quality, including implementation of updated school meal nutrition requirements.
