Kitchen Infrastructure and Training and Retention and Recruitment Grant

Kitchen Infrastructure and Training and Retention and Recruitment Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: CA Department of Education
Amount: US $2,500
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Summary

The Kitchen Infrastructure and Training and Retention and Recruitment Grant offers $155 million in funding to enhance school nutrition programs across California. This initiative supports public school districts and charter schools in improving meal quality through procurement of local ingredients, staffing training, and infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, it aims to recruit and retain food service professionals, ensuring the provision of high-quality meals meets increasing demands. Eligible entities must apply online to access these competitive grants.

Overview

On June 27, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 121 (Committee on Budget. Education finance: education omnibus budget trailer bill) into law. Section 79 of this law appropriated $155 million from the State of California’s General Fund to the California Department of Education (CDE) to competitively award $145 million in KIT Grants and $10 million in R&R Grants. Unlike the previous KIT allocations, these grants are competitive, and eligible entities must apply using an online application. The amount of funding grantees receive will be determined by a funding formula outlined on the “Funding” tab. Grantees must complete a mandatory progress report and final report, to receive their entire grant award. Grant funding must be encumbered by June 30, 2028. Eligible SFAs are not required to apply for both the 2025 KIT and the R&R Grants. Eligible SFAs may choose to apply for one or both grants using the same online application. Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grant The 2025 KIT Grant is intended to support the continued implementation of Universal Meals and to assist SFAs as they continue on the journey for improved meal quality in the School Nutrition Programs (SNP). This grant supports the following types of expenditures: Procurement of California-grown, whole or minimally processed, sustainably grown and/or organic ingredients from California producers, for inclusion in reimbursable meals served through the NSLP and SBP. Food service staffing costs to support training and professional development for increasing capacity for freshly prepared onsite meals, which may include training on minimally processed, freshly prepared onsite meals, removal of particularly harmful ultraprocessed foods from menus, locally and sustainably grown ingredients, food preparation, healthy food marketing, reducing food waste, and changing the school lunchroom environment to promote a positive dining experience with adequate seat time. This grant may also support additional compensation for additional work relating to serving Universal Meals that may include preparing and serving minimally processed, locally and sustainably grown foods, organic foods, and plant-based or restricted diet food or milk options. Kitchen infrastructure or equipment upgrades to increase the capacity and service options for offering freshly prepared onsite meals using minimally processed, locally grown, organic, and sustainable ingredients, and increase a school’s capacity to prepare meals that surpass the current nutritional quality of food served through the SNPs, while also reducing food waste and promoting adequate seat time. When purchasing equipment, SFAs are encouraged, to the extent practicable, to acquire energy-saving electric and induction equipment rather than equipment that uses fossil fuels. Recruitment and Retention Grant The R&R Grant is intended to support the retention and recruitment of two to three school nutrition professionals. This grant should primarily be used to support one-time costs associated with recruiting and retaining qualified school nutrition food service staff to meet the increased demands associated with providing high quality school meals. This could include signing bonuses, one-time bonuses, or recruitment activities. The R&R funding can also be used for training and professional development opportunities for school nutrition food service staff, or staffing costs associated with scheduling changes to increase access to school meals.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The 2025 KIT and R&R Grants are only available to eligible SFAs defined in Senate Bill 121 as public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. Only eligible SFAs that are approved to operate the NSLP and SBP will be eligible to receive grant funding. An eligible SFA must have an approved written agreement with the California Department of Education (CDE), Nutrition Services Division (NSD), a valid Child Nutrition Information and Payment System identification number on file, be a fully approved sponsor at the time the online application is due, and be in good standing with the CDE in all Child Nutrition Programs in order to be eligible for these grants. More information on the CDE good standing parameters can be found on the Good Standing Status for School Nutrition Program Grants web page. In addition, to qualify for the R&R Grant, eligible SFAs must have a written plan to seek input from applicable unions/bargaining units, human resources, food service administrators, governing board or body members, staff, and parents on how the improved retention and recruitment initiatives will increase access to fresh, healthy school meals and address local priorities. Applicants must identify at least two (not to exceed three) classified employees to be eligible to receive R&R funding.