Department Awards 18 Schools with Grants for School Lunch Equipment

The Idaho State Department of Education has awarded nearly $120,000 in federal grant funding to help 18 Idaho schools purchase new school lunch equipment, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today.

“As we strive to provide healthier foods to our students during the school day, it is also important to ensure our school kitchens and cafeterias have safe, quality equipment,” Superintendent Luna said.

Idaho received $119,804 to help Idaho schools purchase new school lunch equipment for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The grants were awarded through a competitive application process. Schools with 50 percent or more students on free and reduced-price lunch received the highest priority. A selection committee also looked at the level of need, the age and condition of the school's current equipment, and extenuating circumstances such as eliminating safety hazards or replacing deep fat fryers.

With the funding, the 18 awarded schools will purchase items, such as ovens, freezers, dishwashers, tables and mixers.

Here is the list of Idaho schools awarded grants for school lunch equipment:

• Ucon Elementary School, Bonneville Joint School District, $4,999      
• Lindy Ross Elementary School & Clark County Middle/High School, Clark County School District, $8,095
• Culdesac School, Culdesac School District, $5,361.07      
• Greenleaf Friends Academy, Greenleaf, 8,729.51      
• Hansen High School, Hansen School District, $12,462.77      
• Highland School, Highland School District, $3,800      
• Harwood Elementary School, Jefferson Joint School District, $8,189.03      
• Jefferson Elementary School, Jerome School District, $4,700      
• Kamiah School, Kamiah School District, $3,337.38      
• Juliaetta Elementary School, Kendrick Joint School District, $2,349      
• Lapwai Middle/High School, Lapwai School District, $7,552      
• West Elementary School, Mountain Home School District, $8,220      
• Murtaugh Elementary/Middle/High School, Murtaugh School District, $2,715.60      
• Westside Elementary School, Payette School District, $8,140      
• Oakwood Elementary School, Preston School District, $10,000      
• Driggs Elementary School, Teton School District, $5,731.14      
• Vallivue Middle School, Vallivue School District, $10,000      
• H.B. Lee Elementary/Middle School, Westside School District, $5,422.50   

~ Melissa M.