FY27_Harvest_to_Hallways_NSLP_EAG_NOFA.docx

Information Collection: 0584-0512 Expiration date: 03/31/2029

Harvest to Hallways: National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants

Fiscal Year 2027 Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA)

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 10.579

Release Date: October 28, 2026

Application Due Date: January 11, 2027; 11:59 pm, Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Anticipated Award Date: February 2027

OMB BURDEN STATEMENT: This information is being collected to assist USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) in receiving key information from grant applicants that is needed to evaluate applications, therefore protecting the integrity of the grantee selection process. This is a voluntary collection and FNA will use the information to solicit applications for the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant. This collection does not request any personally identifiable information under the Privacy Act of 1974. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0512. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.00 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration, Evidence, Analysis, and Regulatory Affairs, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705. Do not return the completed form to this address.

Application Checklist

This Application Checklist provides applicants with a list of the required actions and documents that must be completed. However, the Food and Nutrition Administration expects that applicants will read the entire NOFA prior to the submission of their application and comply with all requirements outlined in the solicitation. The Application Checklist is for applicant use only and should not be submitted as part of the Application Package.

Complete the following at least four weeks prior to submission:

· Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number;

· Register the UEI number in the System for Award Management (SAM); and,

· Register in grants.gov.

When preparing your application, ensure:

· Application format and narrative meet the requirements and elements outlined in the Application Content section of the NOFA.

· Applicants are encouraged to submit their project narrative using the template in Attachment B. This includes page limits and all necessary attachments.

When preparing your budget, ensure the following information is included:

· All key staff proposed to be paid by this grant.

· Your organization’s fringe benefit rate and amount, as well as the basis for the computation.

· The type of fringe benefits to be covered with Federal funds.

· Types of supplies, justifications, and estimates, ensuring that the budget is in line with the project description.

· No more than 5 percent of direct costs in the budget are for State-level administrative costs.

· (If applicable) Indirect cost information (either a copy of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or if no agreement exists they may charge up to 15% de minimis). If an applicant is requesting the de minimis rate or indirect costs are not required, please state this in the budget narrative.

When submitting your application, ensure you have submitted the following:

· Project Application

· Budget Narrative

· SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

· SF-424A – Budget Information and Instruction Form (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

· SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

· SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

· FNS-906 – Grant Program Accounting System & Financial Capability Questionnaire (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

· Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to a new school meals policy plan aligning the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030— providing real food, in every cafeteria. In support of this principle, the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) is pleased to announce the availability of $50 million to provide grants on a non-competitive basis to State agencies for the Harvest to Hallways National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants. Investing in cafeteria upgrades, including cold storage, stoves, and other equipment, will help schools serve healthier meals and expanded offerings.

State agency applicants should review this NOFA thoroughly to ensure full understanding of all application requirements and procedures.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the Harvest to Hallways NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant opportunity is to help ensure that schools have the equipment they need to serve more whole, nutrient-dense foods including protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. These grants will support getting more real and local foods in school meals. For more than a decade, the FNA has provided NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants to State agencies to help modernize school kitchens across the country — supporting the delivery of much‑needed equipment to underserved and rural communities while advancing strategies that give students greater access to healthy, nourishing choices.

Funding for these grants is being made available under section §1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (P.L. 117-2). The fiscal year (FY) 2027 Harvest to Hallways NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants strengthen a critical link in the national food and agricultural supply chain by modernizing the capacity of school meal programs to handle, prepare, and serve nutritious, whole foods sourced from U.S. agriculture. Schools represent one of the largest and most consistent institutional food service channels in the country, and their ability to safely store, process, and cook a wide range of domestic agricultural products directly affects the stability and reach of that supply chain. By investing in durable, up‑to‑date equipment, these grants reduce operational vulnerabilities, improve throughput, and ensure schools can continue delivering high‑quality meals even during periods of disruption. As a result, the program enhances downstream resilience, supports reliable demand for American agricultural goods, and reinforces a more distributed, adaptable, and dependable food system—fulfilling the ARPA directive to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.

The objective of the FY 2027 Harvest to Hallways NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant opportunity is for NSLP State agencies to administer competitive subgrants to eligible local education agencies (LEAs), school food authorities (SFAs), and schools for the purchase of equipment valued at greater than $1,000. State agencies may consider any SFA, LEA, and school that operates NSLP as eligible to receive a grant award.

Selection criteria that State agencies should consider when awarding the subgrants, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Opportunities to improve the nutrition and quality of meals, including supporting the implementation of updated nutrition requirements for school meals.

1. Age or lack of appropriate food service equipment.

1. Ability of food service equipment to increase the efficiency of SFA procurement, food storage, and distribution/service.

1. The availability of existing State and local funding for equipment purchases.

1. Strategies for adopting cafeteria changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student.

Equipment purchased under the subgrant must directly support cafeteria improvements—such as upgrades to cold storage, cooking equipment, and other food service tools—to help schools serve healthier meals and expand their meal offerings. These grants must strengthen the school food service’s ability to prepare and present a wider range of whole, nutrient‑dense foods, including protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy.

A State agency may use up to five percent of its grant award for State-level administrative costs associated with awarding grants to eligible subgrantees. Administrative costs include direct costs within the budget such as personnel, supplies, and travel associated with managing the grant.

FUNDING LEVELS

As noted above, a total of $50 million is available for the 54 State agencies that administer NSLP to support their subgrant process. FNA will distribute $50 million in non-competitive grant funds proportionally, based on the FY 2026 Child Nutrition State Administrative Expense allocation formula. Please see Appendix A for each State’s maximum allocation amount. States may apply for grant funds up to, but not exceeding, the amount shown in the funding chart included with this announcement.

ELIGIBILITY

The 54 State agencies that have agreements with FNA to administer the NSLP are eligible to apply for this opportunity (please refer to Appendix A – State Funding Allocation). In States where more than one agency has an agreement in place with FNA to administer the NSLP, the primary NSLP State agency (i.e. the agency that serves the majority of SFAs) is the agency that is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.

In States with more than one agency, the primary agency is required to coordinate with the secondary NSLP State agency (which serves a smaller portion of SFAs) to ensure that all LEAs, SFAs, and schools that operate NSLP can apply for Equipment Assistance Grants.

Applicants that do not meet the eligibility definition will be deemed ineligible and removed from consideration.

ALLOWABLE COSTS

To accomplish the NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Program goals, grantees must ensure that funds are provided as subgrants to LEAs, SFAs, and schools. In approving subawards, State agencies must ensure the funds are used by the LEAs, SFAs, and schools for the purchase and installation of equipment with a value of over $1,000.

State agencies may utilize up to five percent of their award for direct costs of grant administration, which may include expenses related to personnel, supplies, and training.

All costs proposed in the budget and detailed in the budget narrative must be allowable, reasonable, necessary, and allocable. Refer to 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles for a detailed description of all allowable and unallowable costs.

A complete listing of selected items of costs is located at 2 CFR 200.420 – 200.476.

SUBGRANTS

Subgrantees will be required to follow procurement regulations at 7 CFR Part 210.21 and 2 CFR Part 200.317-327. Equipment competitively procured using these grant funds must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable. State agencies’ NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant announcements (i.e., the RFA to eligible subgrantees) must highlight the requirement to follow all Federal, State, and local procurement laws when purchasing equipment with these grant awards. In addition, FNA clarified that installation costs are considered an allowable expense under the Equipment Assistance Grant in memorandum SP 06-2025 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants: Installation Expenditures.

UNALLOWABLE COSTS

State agencies and subgrantees must follow the rules outlined in 7 CFR 210.14(a); noting the construction of buildings is prohibited.

HOW TO APPLY

States must apply at https://www.grants.gov. Complete grant applications must be uploaded to grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 11, 2027.

· Applications must be submitted via grants.gov. Mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered application packages will not be accepted. For further instructions, see “Preparing for Electronic Application Submission through Grants.gov”.

· Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

· If multiple application packages are submitted through grants.gov by the same applicant in response to this solicitation, FNA will accept the latest application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.

States must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and register in both the System for Award Management (SAM) and on Grants.gov to apply.

All Standard forms can be found on Grants.gov. You may complete the forms in PDF and upload; however, we encourage you to complete the webforms within your Workspace environment.

APPLICATION CONTENT

In order to apply, applicants must submit the following required documentation:

1. Project Application (see Appendix B for a suggested format) The project application should not exceed five pages.

Personnel and Staffing which includes:

· Applicant Name and Mailing Address

· Primary contact’s name, job title, mailing address, phone number, and email address

· Briefly describe the plan for staffing the grant project. Response should include key personnel, identifying roles and responsibilities.

Project Narrative which includes:

· Clearly describe the State agency’s subgrant process and the proposed project activities. Include a timeline that demonstrates how all State responsibilities outlined in the NOFA—and each step of the subgrant process—will be completed within the grant’s performance period.

· A description of how the State’s subgrant process will meet the NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant objective of providing subgrants to LEAs, SFAs, and schools to purchase equipment that supports cafeteria improvements —such as upgrades to cold storage, cooking equipment, and other food service tools—to help schools serve healthier meals and expand their offerings.

· Overview of criteria used by State to justify the LEA, SFA, or school’s need for equipment.

Note: FNA encourages consideration of the following:

· Opportunities to improve the nutrition and quality of meals, including supporting the implementation of updated nutrition requirements for school meals.

· Age or lack of appropriate food service equipment.

· Ability of food service equipment to increase the efficiency of procurement, food storage, and distribution/service.

· The availability of existing State and local funding for equipment purchases.

· Strategies for adopting cafeteria changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student.

· Description of how State will ensure LEAs, SFAs, and schools understand the grant is for equipment greater than $1,000.

· States are encouraged to reallocate funds if unused. If applicable, please describe the State’s plans and timeline for reallocating unused funds to other eligible LEAs, SFAs, and schools identified competitively.

Activities and Indicators

· A description of measurable activities and outcomes that will be tracked and reported to determine the success of the subgrant process that will be conducted using these grant funds. States are encouraged to propose any performance indicators that demonstrate how the grants will improve school meals. Note: Indicators are defined as any metric States anticipate will be able to be tracked during the period of performance of the grant. Examples include Number of Applicants, Number of Subgrants Awarded, Equipment Items Purchased.

2. Budget Narrative (see Appendix C for a suggested format), which includes:

· The amount of Federal funds requested up to the cap per State (see the funding chart included with this announcement).

· A narrative description of the Federal funds requested on the SF-424A that explains how much of the funds the State expects to allocate to each of the activities listed in the description of how funds will be used.

· The budget narrative must justify and support the bona fide needs of the budget’s direct cost.

· The budget and budget narrative must be in line with the proposed project description.

· Budget categories in the narrative must match those listed on the SF-424A form.

· All funding requests must be in whole dollars.

3. Indirect Cost Documentation (if applicable)

· If the budget includes indirect costs, the applicant must provide a copy of its most recently approved Federal indirect cost rate agreement. If no agreement exists, the applicant may charge up to 15% de minimis. If an applicant is requesting the de minimis rate or indirect costs are not required, please state this in the budget narrative.

4. Standard Forms (available on grants.gov)

· SF-424 Application and Instruction for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

· SF-424A Budget Information and Instruction (SF-424A)

· SF-424B Assurance-Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)n

· SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities): Indicate on the form whether your organization intends to conduct lobbying activities. If your organization does not intend to lobby, write “Not Applicable.”

· FNS-906, Risk Assessment Questionnaire

ADDITIONAL AWARD INFORMATION

Funding for these grants will be provided through the Grant Award/Letter of Credit process, once the FNS-529, Grant Award Agreement is signed by both USDA FNA and the grantee. This will require completion of an Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) setup form so that the FNA may establish the Letter of Credit by which your award funds will be made available to you. This form is required regardless of whether a grantee has an ASAP account or not. ASAP.gov is a secure, web-based electronic payment system that allows recipients to access their funding. For additional information on ASAP.gov, please visit https://www.ASAP.gov.

State agencies must submit the RFA they will use to competitively award the subgrant to FNA for approval to the FNA Child Nutrition National Office. The subgrant RFA must be approved by FNA before the State agency may proceed with publishing the State announcement. The subgrant RFA must reference all applicable Federal and State requirements, including Government‑wide and USDA regulations. State agencies may consider any LEA, SFA, or school participating in NSLP as eligible to receive a Harvest to Hallways NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant award (subgrant).

If a State agency plans to use the same subgrant RFA previously submitted for the competitive FY 2026 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants announced on August 24, 2026, the agency must notify the FNA Child Nutrition National Office that the prior version will be reused and does not need to be resubmitted. State agencies must submit either the subgrant RFA or a notification indicating reuse of the FY 2026 RFA to SM.FN.PMOS-OSB@usda.gov no later than 90 days after the period of performance start date.

Once an award has been made, and the State agency’s RFA for subgrants has been submitted and approved by the FNA Child Nutrition National Office (or the State agency confirms that its RFA remains unchanged from the previously submitted FY 2026 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant RFA), the State agency will proceed to distribute subgrant materials, review applications, make award determinations, and conduct required monitoring. State agencies are expected to maintain all appropriate purchase records from the subgrantees and make them available and ready for review upon request.

Subgrantees that are unable to fully obligate their grant amounts must return any unobligated funds to the State agency. If these funds are returned to the State agency, the State agency is strongly encouraged to reallocate available funds (the returned funds and the funds not previously obligated to subgrantees) to other eligible LEAs, SFAs, and schools identified competitively. For example, by awarding the next highest scoring applicant for an equipment grant that had not received funds during the initial competitive grant application process. SFAs must complete their subgrant procurement and activities by the end of the performance period March 30, 2029.

Subgrantees are required to procure equipment purchased with funding from this grant consistent with the applicable requirements found at 2 CFR 200.318-327. Sub-grantees must also follow the requirements for the use, management, and disposition of equipment found at 2 CFR 200.313(c-e).

Some equipment purchases may be required to be compliant with the Build America, Buy America for Infrastructure requirements. For purchases of equipment (including applicable installation costs) that will be permanently affixed within the cafeteria, State Agencies must reach out to FNA for further guidance prior to subgrantee procurement of such items.

No-cost extensions are not permitted under this FY 2027 Harvest to Hallways NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants NOFA.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance for this project will be two years beginning February 2027 through March 30, 2029.

REPORTING

Progress Reporting:

Grantees will be required to submit progress performance reports (PPR) to FNA 30 days following the end of each annual period using the FNS-908 PPR form that will be sent to grantees at the time of award. The reports should cover the preceding period of activity. A final report identifying the accomplishments and results of the project will be due 120 days after the end date of the award. When completing the final FNS-908 PPR, State agencies shall include a list of all subgrantees and equipment purchased (this can be included in the narrative or as an attachment).

Please note: The FNS-908 PPR form specific to this opportunity will be sent to grantees at the time of award. Use of the FNS-908 PPR form for progress reports is required. Previous grantees that have not submitted reports timely may be evaluated as high risk. All activities reported on the FNS-908 must align with the required objective outlined in this NOFA.

Financial Status Reporting:

The award recipient will be required to enter the SF-425 (Federal Financial Report) into the FNA Food Program Reporting System (FPRS) on a quarterly basis. In order to access FPRS, the grant recipient must obtain login.gov and USDA e-Authentication, verify their identity, and submit an FNS-674 form, which will be provided by the Grant Officer to access FPRS. A final Financial Status report is due 120 days after the end of the performance period. For additional information on FPRS, visit fprs.fns.usda.gov.

CONTACT

For questions or technical assistance regarding this NOFA, please contact the Grant Officer:

Carla Garcia Grant Officer Grants and Fiscal Policy Division U.S. Department of Agriculture, FNA Email: carla.garcia@usda.gov

APPENDIX A STATE ALLOCATION FUNDING CHART

APPENDIX B: APPLICATION TEMPLATE

Harvest to Hallways National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants Suggested Format for Required Five-Page (Maximum) Application Applicant Name & Mailing Address

Primary Contact’s Name, Job Title, Mailing Address, Phone Number, & Email Address

Briefly describe the plan for staffing the grant project. Response should include key personnel, identifying roles and responsibilities

Project Narrative Clearly describe the State agency’s subgrant process and the proposed project activities. Include a timeline that demonstrates how all State responsibilities outlined in the NOFA—and each step of the subgrant process—will be completed within the grant’s performance period.

How the State’s subgrant process will meet the NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant objective of providing subgrants to LEAs, SFAs, and schools to purchase equipment that supports cafeteria improvements —such as upgrades to cold storage, cooking equipment, and other food service tools—to help schools serve healthier meals and expand their offerings.

What criteria will the State agency use to justify the LEA, SFA, or school’s need for equipment?

Note: FNA encourages consideration of the following:

· Opportunities to improve the nutrition and quality of meals, including supporting the implementation of updated nutrition requirements for school meals.

· Age or lack of appropriate food service equipment.

· Ability of food service equipment to increase the efficiency of procurement, food storage, and distribution/service.

· The availability of existing State and local funding for equipment purchases.

· Strategies for adopting cafeteria changes that provide more convenience and appeal to the student.

How will the State agency ensure LEAs, SFAs, and schools understand the grant is for equipment greater than $1,000?

If applicable, what is your State agency’s plan and timeline for reallocating unused funds to other eligible LEAs, SFAs, and schools identified competitively?

Activities and Indicators Proposed Activities and indicators measuring success must be mapped to Program Objectives (as described in Section 1 – Program Description) in the below format (note that additional Activities/Indicators can be added as needed).

Note: Indicators are defined as any metric you anticipate will be able to be tracked during the period of performance of the grant. Examples include: Number of Applicants, Number of Subgrants Awarded, Equipment Items Purchased.

APPENDIX C: BUDGET NARRATIVE TEMPLATE

As a reminder, a State agency may only use up to five percent of its allocation for State-level administrative costs associated with awarding grants to eligible subgrantees.

Note: If the State is planning use all funding for sub-grants to LEAs, SFAs and schools, please provide zeros for the other sections of the narrative and provide the full federal amount requested in the “Other” section where subgrants are highlighted and listed below.

Name and Title of Personnel (Identify Here) Ex. John Smith, Programmer

Hourly wage x # of hours per year # of years OR Annual Salary x FTE x # years.

Name and Title

Total Salary x Fringe Benefits Rate. Explain what costs are included in the Fringe Benefits.

TOTAL FUNDING FOR TRAVEL

TOTAL FUNDING FOR CONTRACTUAL

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