Massachusetts schools participating in the National School Lunch Program have until 5 p.m. Nov. 13 to apply for grants to buy, renovate or replace meal-service equipment.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education lists approximately $361,143 for the competition, with awards of up to about $20,000 per school. The amounts are estimates and depend on available funding.
Eligible purchases include cooking, refrigeration, heating, holding and serving equipment. Each item must cost more than $1,000. Delivery and installation can also be covered.
Districts apply for individual schools. The state gives priority to schools that did not receive an equipment grant in fiscal years 2017 through 2025, although all participating schools may apply if they meet program rules.
Applications count as submitted only after the superintendent or a designee approves them at the final "Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in the state's GEM$ grants system by the deadline. A partially entered application does not count as submitted.
Questions about the competition are due Nov. 6. The funding notice identifies Kerry Callahan at kerry.a.callahan@mass.gov as the contact and requires expenditures to be completed by June 30, 2028.