Harvest to Hallways: National School Lunch Program, Equipment Assistance Grants

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:

• 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 SFA 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.

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.