FY2027 Harvest to Hallways: National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) released this applicant-facing, noncompetitive state-agency grant on October 28, 2026. A total of $50,000,000 across eligible NSLP State agencies is available to support competitive equipment-assistance subgrants to local education agencies, school food authorities, and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This is a grant, not a vendor contract or procurement solicitation.
Who may apply directly
Only the 54 eligible State agencies with agreements to administer NSLP may apply to USDA under this federal opportunity. Where more than one State agency administers NSLP, the primary agency serving the majority of school food authorities is the eligible direct applicant and must coordinate with the secondary agency. Individual schools, school districts, LEAs, and school food authorities cannot apply directly to USDA under this notice. They may seek later competitive subgrants when their State agency publishes its own USDA-approved state application process. A State subgrant competition should not be described as open until its State administering agency announces it.
Applicant funding
USDA will allocate the $50,000,000 program-wide total among eligible State agencies using the FY2026 Child Nutrition State Administrative Expense allocation formula. Each direct State applicant is limited to its own maximum in Appendix A of the 15-page NOFA, rather than the entire national pool. Illustrative State caps include Texas $6,200,306; California $5,554,836; Florida $3,353,036; Wisconsin $665,864; and Wyoming $66,000. State subgrant award amounts for individual schools are not established by this federal notice and depend on forthcoming State announcements. The federal NOFA does not state a nonfederal matching-funds requirement.
Allowable activities and restrictions
State agencies must administer competitive subgrants for the purchase and installation of cafeteria equipment valued at more than $1,000 to help participating schools provide healthier, nutrient-dense meals. Eligible items can include cold storage and cooking equipment. States may use up to 5% of an award for State-level administration; the required budget must separately justify direct and, where applicable, indirect costs (including an allowable 15% de minimis rate where permitted). Building construction is prohibited. Applicable federal, state, and local procurement rules must be followed for equipment purchases. The administering State must submit its subgrant RFA to USDA for approval, or notify USDA if reusing the previously approved FY2026 RFA. The anticipated period of performance runs from February 2027 through March 30, 2029, without no-cost extensions under this NOFA.
Deadline and application instructions
Eligible State agency applications are due January 11, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Submit electronically through Grants.gov under USDA-FNA-CN-HTH-NSLP-EAG-2027. Required preparations include a valid UEI, active SAM registration, Grants.gov registration, a project narrative of no more than five pages, a budget narrative, SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, FNS-906 risk questionnaire, and indirect-cost documentation if applicable. The application must describe how the State will competitively award, monitor, and report on local subgrants. Mailed or emailed applications are not accepted.
Official controlling source: FY2027 USDA NOFA, released October 28, 2026. Official federal funding listing. Verified against the complete NOFA on October 28, 2026. Check the official posting for subsequent amendments before applying.