State Schools Chief encourages school nutrition programs to quickly apply for federal recovery funds

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that $12.8 million in 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants stemming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 are available to help California school food authorities purchase equipment.

           "Studies show hungry students don't learn as well as their well-nourished peers," said O'Connell. "That's why it is so important for schools to apply for these funds that will help to improve the quality and safety of food served in the National School Lunch Program, and encourage more children to participate in these vital programs and eat nutritious meals."

"Also, because there is such a short time frame to award, dedicate, and spend these federal recovery dollars, I am urging school food authorities to immediately assess their equipment needs and compete for these grants. I also want to thank President Obama for sending these funds so quickly to California to help our most vulnerable students with these basic needs."

           This one-time ARRA funding is only for school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis with priority given to sites with at least 50 percent of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

           The grant applications are due at the close of business on May 27, 2009. The California Department of Education is still awaiting authority from the state Legislature to disburse the funds, but the end of June 2009 is the target date. School food authorities must dedicate or encumber the funds within three months of receiving the grant, and are encouraged to spend the money as quickly as possible to create and save jobs.

The applicants must demonstrate a need for the equipment focusing on four areas:

• The equipment would lend itself to improving the quality of school food service meals that meet dietary guidelines (e.g., an equipment alternative to a deep fryer);
• The equipment would improve the safety of food served in the school meal programs (e.g., cold/hot holding equipment, dish washing equipment, refrigeration, freezers, blast chillers, etc.);
• The equipment would improve the overall energy efficiency of the school food service operations (e.g., an energy-efficient walk-in freezer to replace an outdated, energy-demanding freezer); and
• The equipment would help expand participation in a school meal program (e.g., equipment for serving meals in a non-traditional setting or to better use cafeteria space).

The applicants will be scored on the percentage of students at the school who are eligible for free and reduced-priced meals, and how the equipment they propose to purchase meets criteria set forth in the application. This grant will have various reporting requirements that are still pending from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Equipment Assistance Grants may not be commingled with other program funds and must be tracked and reported separately.