The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 117-103), has provided funding in the amount of $30,000,000 and an additional $50,000,000 has been provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (P.L. 117-2) under section §1001 (b)(4) to be distributed to State Agencies (SAs) that will competitively award equipment assistance grants to eligible School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These funds will allow SFAs to purchase equipment, with a value of greater than $1,000, needed to serve healthier meals; support scratch cooking; improve the overall quality of meals; improve food safety; and expand access and help to support the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of the School Breakfast Program (SBP).

All Recipient Agencies (RA s ) under a School Food Authority (SFA) participating in the NSLP in New York State (NYS) are eligible (including public school districts, non-profit nonpublic schools, charter schools and residential childcare institutions). The SFA will apply on behalf of their eligible RAs. Unless otherwise exempt, as detailed in the RFP, the SFA will submit a separate application for each piece of requested equipment for an eligible RA. Priority will be given to RAs that did not receive a previous grant award through the F iscal Y ear (FY) 2019 , FY 2020 or the FY 2021 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities.

The equipment purchased with the FY 2022 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant must be used to support the federally assisted school meals programs. Equipment may not be purchased exclusively for programs outside of the federally assisted school meals programs. When an RA participates in other school meal programs [such as the School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)], in addition to the NSLP, those other meals programs may benefit from equipment purchased with FY 2022 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant funds. For example, if an RA participating in the NSLP and SBP purchases a new refrigerator with the FY 2022 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant funds, food items for both federal programs may be stored in the refrigerator.

The full RFP and supporting documents will be posted to: P-12 Funding Opportunities .