Grants help local school cafeterias

VERONA, N.Y.>> Planning and Grant Writing Specialist Lisa Seitz recently worked with food service directors for Oneida, Rome and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill to secure state funding for new cafeteria equipment.

The State Education Department announced the recipients of the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant earlier this month. Through the grant: Oneida will receive $7,011 for reach-in refrigerators at Durhamville, North Broad and Willard Prior elementary schools.

Romewill receive $14,657 for a convection steamer at Joy Elementary. VVS will receive $5,950 for reach-in freezers at J.D. George and Wettel elementary schools.

These awards were among 196 funded across the state, selected from a pool of 570 applications.

The Planning and Grant Writing service at MOBOCES assists area districts in securing outside fund- ing for school programs by providing resources and expertise for grant writing, research and development.

The School Lunch Program provides districts with a professional food service administrative team to supervise staffing, budgeting, purchasing and menu development in school cafeterias. MOBOCES School Lunch Service Coordinator Hollie Ackerman provides services to Camden, Canastota, Oneida, Stockbridge Valley and VVS.