Hobart, an ITW Food Equipment Group LLC brand, has announced the winner of its 2023 Equipment Grant, as well as the 2024 Grant Opportunity.
Evanston Township High School (ETHS) was the 2023 winner of a food prep equipment grant. Hobart awarded the grant to the school, based in Evanston, Illinois, through participation with the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF).
The ETHS district met the grant criteria with its plan to provide more semi-scratch meals and by demonstrating the need for new equipment to help with the program.
In addition to producing meals for four on-site cafeterias, the school’s central kitchen supports 17 elementary and preschools in the surrounding community.
ETHS chose the Hobart HS9 automatic heavy-duty slicer, HCM61 bowl-style food processor and three equipment stands.
Kimberly Minestra, nutrition services program director, ETHS, said: “Our aim is to offer students more fresh, local food options to support their healthy lifestyles and increase student participation in our breakfast and lunch programs.
“The new equipment will be invaluable in helping us reach the goal of providing more semi-scratch meals.”
ETHS district offers local and sustainable programming for students to put into action. Through its Urban Agriculture course, students support the organic farming practices for on-site school gardens spanning more than 5,000 square feet.
These gardens yield 2,200 to 3,000 pounds of produce annually for student and staff cafeterias during the standard school year and summer school.
Carolyn Bilger, marketing director, Hobart Food Equipment Group, commented: “We are always excited to hear about schools who are dedicated to bringing fresh, from-scratch menu items to their students.
“Knowing that Hobart can support ETHS’s efforts through this equipment grant is rewarding. We wish them the best with their initiatives.”
Hobart will again collaborate with the SNF to provide the Hobart Equipment Grant in 2024. It will award up to $35,000 of food prep equipment to one school district that is a member of the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
The grant application opens January 2024.
