Press Releases

10/10/2025

Connecticut State Department of Education Announces 2025–26 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant Award Winners

The grant will support a variety of foodservice equipment purchases, which will modernize school kitchens and improve meal service capabilities.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025-26 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant awards. Through a competitive process, the CSDE received 55 applications, of which 10 grants totaling $108,255 were awarded to schools to support critical kitchen and meal service upgrades, including steamers, ovens, freezers, refrigerators, food slicers, and stand mixers.

These upgrades will provide schools with the tools needed to serve fresh, healthy meals efficiently while ensuring food safety standards. The investment will have a long-term impact on the success of school meal programs and the overall health of Connecticut’s students. 

The CSDE received $108,255 through the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service as part of a $10 million federal initiative aimed at enhancing school food service operations and improving the quality of meals provided to students. This funding is part of the USDA’s national effort to help school food authorities improve meal quality and increase program participation.  

2025-26 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant Awards

School District/Residential Child Care Institution	School	Award Funding
Cheshire Public Schools	Cheshire High School	$15,000.00
East Hartford Public Schools	Hockanum Early Childhood Learning Center	$8,400.00
Manchester Public Schools	Highland Park Elementary School	$14,080.35
Mansfield Public Schools	Mansfield Elementary School	$6,087.97
Stamford Public Schools	Toquam Magnet Elementary School	$3,977.98
Suffield Public Schools	McAlister Intermediate School	$11,183.48
Regional School District 14	Nonnewaug High School	$15,000.00
Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center	EASTCONN Clinical, Developmental and Therapeutic (CDT) Programs	$14,665.00
The Children’s Center of Hamden	Whitney Hall School	$10,970.00
Connecticut Technical Education & Career System (CTECS)	A.I. Prince Technical High School	$8,890.22

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10, 11 a.m.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Matthew Cerrone
matthew.cerrone@ct.gov

 

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