Kansas has received an allocation of $252,243 to competitively award equipment assistance grants to eligible sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), including those operating the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). 

This year, priority doesn’t have to be given to high-need schools where 50% or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Priority will be given to those schools that have not received a previous NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant.  

These funds will allow sponsors who apply and are awarded equipment assistance grants to purchase equipment to improve nutritional quality of school meals; ensure safety of food served; increase efficiency of procurement; provide for food storage and service; support expanded participation in the NSLP; support the ability to use local foods; develop strategies for adopting lunchroom changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student population, such as Grab and Go or Kiosks; and/or to support the establishment, maintenance or expansion of the School Breakfast Program through innovative service models. 

The Kansas grant application is available at https://cnw.ksde.org, SNP, What’s New. Applications are due by close of business on Nov. 17, 2023. Contact KSDE’s Diane Dysart at ddysart@ksde.org with questions. She is available to review applications to make sure they are complete prior to the deadline.