Economic Recovery and Reinvestment

National School Lunch Program - Equipment Grants

Program Description: This grant was for the purchase of school food service equipment by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The overall goal of the grant was to improve the infrastructure in schools while stimulating activity in the economy. Priority was given to schools that have 50 percent or greater students eligible for free and reduced-priced meals. It is the department's intent to hold schools accountable for the funding awarded and to have as much visibility of funding as possible.

• Congratulations to Award Recipients - June 23, 2009
• Press Release - June 30, 2009.

Late-breaking information: Wisconsin Reallocation of Unobligated and Unliquidated Funds - February 23, 2010

Funding: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a one-time appropriation of $100,000,000 for equipment. The state was allocated $1,316,711 based on Wisconsin's school meals administrative expense allocation. Interested schools applied for this competitive grant administered by the state.

Anyone knowing of fraud, waste, or abuse involving federal funds or programs should contact the Office of Inspector General (OIG). ARRA provides protections for certain individuals who make specified disclosures relating to Recovery Act funds. OIG Contacts and Whistleblower Protections

Timeline:

• Applications were due May 11, 2009.
• Award letters were mailed June 24, 2009.
• DPI requested School Food Authorities to complete their procurement and expenditure activities by September 23, 2009.
• Final claims for payment under this grant award were due October 30, 2009.
• DPI will award unliquidated funds to School Food Authorities by February 26, 2010.
• School Food Authorities must expend their awards by September 30, 2010.

Guidance

• Unobligated and Unliquidated Funds Recovery and Reallocation Guidance for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities - January 27, 2010
• Unliquidated Funds Recovery and Reallocation Guidance for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities - January 8, 2010
• Obligations of 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities - September 4, 2009
• Clarification on Intent of 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities - August 21, 2009
• Standard Award Terms and Reporting Requirements for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009's National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants - August 19, 2009
• Equipment Specifications for the 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities - April 16, 2009
• 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities Questions and Answers - April 8, 2009
• Proposed Requirements for Reporting Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) - April 3, 2009
• 2009 Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities Questions and Answers - March 20, 2009
• Informational Letter to School Food Authorities in Wisconsin from Jessica Sharkus, RD, CD, March 13, 2009
• USDA Guidance for Grant

Contacts:

• Schools in WI having questions please contact, Julie A. Cox, RD, CD, Email: julie.cox@dpi.wi.gov, phone: 608-267-9206
• Federal contact, Julie Mikkelson, Email: julie.mikkelson@fns.usda.gov, phone: 312-353-1901

Links and Resources

• The Program Fiscal Report (PI-1086) should be used by grant recipients to claim expenditures.
• USDA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Webpage
• National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) Resource: Equipment Purchasing and Facility Design for School Nutrition Programs 2009
• National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) Resource:Food Service Equipment Guide 1999. This guide presents a decision making process and critical pathway approach to purchasing conventional food service production equipment.
• School Nutrition Association The CN Marketplace- a service targeted specifically to School Nutrition Association members which features valuable resource listings of current products and services for the foodservice industry.
• Payne-Palacio, June and Theis, Monica 2008. "Equipment and Furnishings," Introduction to Foodservice. 11th ed. Prentice Hall.
• Birchfield, John C. and Sparrowe, Raymond T. 2003. "Foodservice Equipment," Design and Layout of Foodservice Facilities. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Reporting: It is important to note that funds from this grant may not be commingled with other program funds and will be tracked and reported separately.

• All Programs Report from Wisconsin's Reporting Portal
• Proposed Requirements for Reporting Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) - April 3, 2009

For questions about this information, contact Julie A. Cox (608) 267-9206

Last updated on 2/23/2010 11:47:07 AM