Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $220,600 to Support Healthy School Meals in 16 School Districts

EVERETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $220,600 in federally-funded, competitive grants that will help 16 school districts improve their National School Lunch and Breakfast programs to help all students receive the nutrition they need to be successful in school. The funding can be used to purchase equipment such as a refrigerator or freezer to offer a wider variety of fruits, vegetables and menu options. It can also be used to invest in specialized cooking equipment, such as steamers and convection ovens, that enhance the quality, safety and appeal of meals.
 
“Massachusetts is committed to supporting school meals and local school districts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We all know the importance of providing healthy meals to our young people. This funding will help schools enhance the quality, safety and appeal of the breakfasts and lunches they offer to students."
 
“Building the capacity of schools to offer a wider variety of healthy meal choices will help improve students’ overall health. Grants like these are important to provide schools with the tools they need to modernize their kitchens and invest in high-quality school meals,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
 
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on supporting students’ hierarchy of needs, including food security and mental health supports. With Governor Healey’s signing of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Massachusetts became the eighth state to make universal free school meals permanent. The continued combination of state and federal funding enables all Massachusetts students to eat one breakfast and lunch for free to help them stay healthy and succeed in school. Child nutrition programs are important supports to improve school attendance and increase student engagement.
 
“Food security is essential for learning – it’s related to a hierarchy of need – students can’t focus on learning if they are hungry,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “But we know that it is more than just access to food. We also want to ensure the meals are healthy and high quality, supporting students’ health and wellbeing now and into the future. This grant funding helps promote school environments that enable students to focus on their classes, instead of where their next meal is coming from.” 
 
The School Nutrition Equipment Assistance for Schools grant recipients are:

• Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter (in Boston): $4,485
• Abby Kelley Foster Charter (in Worcester): $18,322
• Argosy Collegiate Charter (in Fall River): $6,986
• Benjamin Banneker Charter (in Cambridge): $19,579
• Brockton Public Schools: $7,174
• Fitchburg Public Schools: $20,000
• Global Learning Charter (in New Bedford): $14,360
• Holyoke Public Schools: $33,345
• Hull Public Schools: $6,176
• Lowell Public Schools: $5,464
• Martha's Vineyard Charter: $20,000
• Northampton Public Schools: $10,232
• Pioneer Valley Regional School District: $20,000
• Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District: $6,819
• Scituate Public Schools: $19,740
• Worcester Public Schools: $7,929

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