Nebraska RHTP 1.1: School Kitchen Modernization Grants

Summary

Nebraska Department of Education offers $2,234,048 in federal RHTP grants to rural and frontier school food authorities to modernize school kitchen infrastructure and equipment. Grants are available with no maximum individual award limit; equipment purchases must support increased scratch- and semi-scratch cooking, enhanced nutritional quality of meals, and greater use of minimally processed and locally produced protein. Schools/districts must document existing and proposed menus, provide at least three price quotes per equipment item (minimum $10,000 per item), and justify purchase choices. Projects funded should target at least a 5% monthly reduction in heat-and-serve menu items, a 5% increase in minimally processed/local protein menu offerings, and a 10% increase in student meal participation. Priority is for applicants in food deserts and high-poverty areas. No administrative or major construction costs are allowed. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, and all purchases must be completed by June 30, 2027. Funds are provided via reimbursement upon submission of procurement documentation. Post-award, recipients must submit final proof of purchase and updated menus by July 1, 2027.

Eligibility

Rural or frontier public and non-public schools, school districts, or educational service units in Nebraska are eligible.

Requirements Checklist

• To apply, applicants must: (1) Complete and submit the application form; (2) Provide four weeks of current SY2025-26 menus for all meal types served by the kitchen facility; (3) Include at least three price quotes with specifications per equipment item (minimum $10,000 value per item), and a justification if not selecting the lowest bid; (4) Outline menu changes and equipment's role in increasing scratch/semi-scratch/local protein offerings and reducing heat-and-serve items; (5) Describe staff training plans and methods for tracking menu change metrics (5% reduction heat/serve, 5% increase minimally processed/local protein items, 10% increase in participation); (6) Submit all required documentation electronically to Kayte.Partch@nebraska.gov. Administrative and construction costs are ineligible.