$50K for Food Equipment at Natomas Schools

A typical school lunch in the Natomas Unified School District.

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Three Natomas-area schools are slated to receive more than $50,000 combined in federal funds to help provide students with healthier food choices.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced 113 school sites statewide will share $1.49 million from the 2014 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant program which is administered by the California Department of Education.

American Lakes Elementary, Bannon Creek Elementary and Jefferson Elementary have each been allocated $17,150. The three elementary schools are the only sites granted funding in Sacramento and all three are located within the Natomas Unified School District.

“These funds will help schools serve more nutritious food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to help keep students healthy so they can grow, learn, and succeed in the classroom,” said Torlakson, in press release issued today, Oct. 13.

School food officials may use the grant money to purchase kitchen and cafeteria equipment such as ovens, refrigerators, freezers, and steamers. The funds are meant to help school sites meet the new nutritional standards, which emphasize more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, improve food safety, and expand access to all students.

Public school districts, county offices of education, directly-funded charter schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions which participate in the National School Lunch Program are eligible to apply for grants up to $20,000 per site, for no more than five sites.

Priority for grants is given to schools where at least half of their enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. This is the second allocation of equipment assistance grant funding.

Funding amounts and recipients for the 2014-15 fiscal year are subject to budget and administrative adjustments.