U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service worked with a small southern Oregon school district to help get the district the equipment it needs to better serve its students.
Prospect Charter School received a USDA National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant for the 2019 fiscal year, but was unable to use the funds by the deadline due to supply chain issues, according to a July 20 Food and Nutrition Service news release. Food and Nutrition Service found a way to extend the funding so the school could purchase a new stove with the grant funds.
"The staff love the new stove!" school business Manager Sheri Eary said in the news release. "Much more efficient. Instead of 45 minutes to boil water, it is 10. They have access to four burners now and two ovens that actually work!"
"My personal goal for equipment grants is to award every dollar to Oregon sponsors who need equipment like Prospect [School District] did," Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Specialist Jennifer Parenteau said in the news release.
"School meal programs help provide critical nutrition to students, while exposing them to healthy foods and nurturing healthy habits they can carry throughout their lives," the news release said. "Equipment grants are one of many resources USDA offers to help schools operate successful meal programs."
