Applications accepted September 16, 2021 – November 30, 2021 
Non-Competitive Funding

The 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 touch points 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

The 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. 

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant funds allow local education agencies (LEAs) to buy equipment to serve healthier meals.

Schools must purchase equipment that improves the quality of school meals. The equipment must also assist with serving more fruits and vegetables in school meals.

LEAs may purchase equipment that:

• Improves food safety;
• Improves school food service operations efficiency;
• And improves or expands participation in the NSLP or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

History of NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Awardees

NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Reference Sheet

Applications accepted November 2021 – January 2022
2021–22 Funds awarded February 2022

The 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.

History of Breakfast Meals for Kids Grants Awardees

Meal Access Grant Reference Sheet

2021-22 Meal Access Grant - Scoring Matrix

Applications accepted Spring 2022
2021–22 Funds awarded Spring 2022

The Washington State Legislature provides funds to assist Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors:

• Start new summer meal programs;
• Increase participation;
• And improve meal quality, equipment, or small supplies used in the program.

History of Summer Meals for Kids Grants Awardees

Summer Meals for Kids Grant Scoring Matrix

The 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.

• Fuel Up to Play 60
• Action for Healthy Kids
• Schools Out Washington Grants
• Washington Grant Watch
• No Kid Hungry Grant Opportunities

• Grant Writing tip sheet
• Grant Writing Tips Webinar
• Using the iGrants System for CNS Grants training
• Grant Writing Tips - National Institutes of Health