USDA Supports Healthier Kids with Better School Food Service Equipment

Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) today announced it is awarding nearly $20 million in grants to help schools invest in modern food service equipment that supports preparing and serving more local, fresh foods.

"Earlier this year, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was transformed to center on one clear message: Eat real food," said FNA Acting Administrator Shiela Corley. "Cutting-edge equipment from these grants will enhance the capacity for schools to handle the preparation and storage of the real, homegrown foods we expect more of our schools to serve. Higher-quality food demands better resources, and America's children deserve it."

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants will provide funds to all states that participate in NSLP and were competitively awarded a grant. States will competitively award subgrants to school districts for the purchase of equipment valued at greater than $1,000. School districts can use the funds to purchase upgraded equipment that will support:

• Serving healthier meals, including those from local foods;
• Improving food safety;
• Increased scratch cooking;
• Storing fresh food; and
• Expanding or maintaining school breakfast.

Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA is committed to strengthening strategies to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families. NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants improve and modernize school kitchens nationwide, helping to Make America Healthy Again, one lunchroom at a time.

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