RFA RHTP 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization GrantsApplications Due: 08/31/2026

This grant, funded by CMS/HHS and administered by the Nebraska Department of Education, provides federal assistance to rural or frontier school districts to modernize kitchen equipment, reduce heat‑and‑serve meals, and increase scratch‑cooked, locally‑sourced protein offerings. Applicants must procure eligible equipment costing $10,000 or more, submit three price quotes per item, and demonstrate menu changes that meet specified percentage targets. Funding is reimbursed after purchase, with a total program pool of $2.23 M and a per‑district cap of $100,000. • Eligible equipment includes blast chillers, salad bars, refrigeration units, scratch‑cooking appliances, storage solutions, and greenhouse equipment (each ≥ $10,000). • Applicants must provide a four‑week menu sample showing a 5 % monthly reduction in heat‑and‑serve items and a 5 % increase in locally‑produced protein, plus a 10 % rise in meal participation. • Required documentation: three vendor price quotes per equipment item, justification for any non‑lowest‑priced selection, and proof of purchase/installation by 07/01/2027.