Grants / Department of Agriculture / Food and Nutrition Service

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

Open Closes January 11, 2027 (72 days left) Opportunity USDA-FNA-CN-HTH-NSLP-EAG-2027

• Award ceiling$6.2 million
• Award floor$1
• Expected awards50
• Total funding$50.0 million
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Add the deadline to your calendar

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to state and local governments.

• State governments

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.

More grants for state and local governments.

Is this a realistic fit?

• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Food and Nutrition.

How to apply

1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to Carla Y Garcia, Grant Officer, carla.garcia@fns.usda.gov, 703-305-2760.

Open the official notice