Child Nutrition Grants
Child Nutrition Services (CNS) administers a variety of grant opportunities throughout the year.
If you are new to writing grants, use these resources to help you submit the best possible proposal:
- The Grant Writing tip sheet,
- Grant Writing Tips Webinar, and;
- Using the iGrants System for CNS Grants training.
- Plant Based School Meals Grant
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2023–24 Funds were awarded in February 2024
The Washington State Legislature provided funds for school districts seeking to implement more plant-based meals in school year 2023–24. These funds will be distributed as competitive grants up to $10,000 per school district to be spent during the 2023-2024 school year. All districts interested in making more plant-based entrees, sides, and/or dairy alternatives available to students on their menu are encouraged to apply. Under this grant, plant-based foods are defined as foods that exclude eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, and animal byproducts. Preference is given to applicants whose projects incorporate scratch cooking supports, Farm to School strategies, and/or supports for culturally appropriate school meals. Only school districts that have not previously received funding for this grant may apply. Food Service Management Company representatives cannot certify the grant application.
- Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant (Form Package 383)
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Applications accepted December 2023–January 16, 2024
2023–24 Funds awarded February 2024The Washington State Legislature provides funds for annual competitive grants available to public school districts, tribal compact schools, and charter schools and focuses on:
- Starting a new meal program
- Increasing participation in an existing program
- Improving program meal quality
- Improving the equipment and facilities used in an existing program.
- NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants (Form Package 472)
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Applications accepted February 12, 2024–March 20, 2024 by 4:00 pm, PT.Funds will be awarded in April 2024This USDA grant provides funds for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to purchase equipment to serve higher quality meals and expand participation. Funds can be used toward equipment purchases or repairs of at least $1,000. There is no upward limit for the cost of the requested equipment; however, Child Nutrition Services may limit the total amount funded per LEA based on the total grant availability. LEAs are limited to applying for a single item of equipment. Exceptions are made when a set of items are a more standard purchase, such as a set of shelving units or multiple cafeteria tables.LEAs may purchase equipment that:
- Improves food safety;
- Supports Farm-to-School efforts;
- Increases utilization of entitlement funding toward the storage of USDA foods.
History of NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Awardees
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Reference Sheet
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Application Information Sheet
- Summer Meals for Kids Grants
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Applications accepted March 20242023–24 Funds awarded April 2024
The Washington State legislature has provided $100,000 for the Summer Meals for Kids grant. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) operates in schools and communities where 50% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. This is a competitive grant for existing SFSP sponsors in good standing.
Special emphasis for Summer 2024:
- Adding new SFSP sites;
- Expanding an existing program;
- Programs operating in a rural area (as defined by USDA or No Kid Hungry Summer Meals Map; and/or
- Programs that have never received a grant from OSPI CNS in the past.
The Summer Meals for Kids Grant Reference Sheet
The Summer Meals for Kids Grant Application Information Sheet
- Previously Awarded Grants
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WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant (Form Package 189)
Applications Closed
Funds awarded January 2022The Washington State Legislature provided $5 million in the 2021-23 state budget to make grants and expand the WSDA Farm to School program. The Farm to School Purchasing Grant is administered in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Who Can Apply: School districts, child care centers, and summer meal program operators that sponsor a USDA child nutrition program (NSLP, CACFP child care, SSO/SFSP), Tribal compact schools, and Tribal early learning centers.
Funding Levels: Grants range from $1,000 up to $300,000 based on annual meal participation rates
Visit the WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grants webpage for Frequently Asked Questions, an application guide, and more.
Safe School Meals Grant (Form Package 170)
Applications ClosedFunds awarded fall 2021The Washington State Legislature provided federal funding for a non-competitive grant available to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to support safe school meals in School Year (SY) 21–22.
Funds may be used to:
- Purchase equipment and supplies to increase the safety of school meals in SY 21–22. This includes, but is not limited to supplies or equipment to:
- Increase social distancing of students eating meals.
- Reduce touchpoints in the meal programs.
- Increase food safety.
- Increase safety in meal service.
- Training to increase the safety of school meals in SY 21–22.
- Providing outreach to students, families, and school staff, including translation services.
Safe School Meals Grant – Award Amounts
Safe School Meals Grant Reference Sheet
Summer Meals for Kids Grant 2.0 (Form Package 148)
Applications ClosedFunds awarded summer 2021The Washington State Legislature provided $800,000 in federal funds for a one-time grant opportunity during summer 2021 to assist Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors to:- Start new summer meal program,
- Increase participation; and
- Improve meal quality, equipment, or small supplies used in the program.
- Purchase equipment and supplies to increase the safety of school meals in SY 21–22. This includes, but is not limited to supplies or equipment to:
- Other Organizations offering Grants for Child Nutrition Programs
- Grant Writing Resources
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