BVA receives grant for food service equipment
The money will be used for a dual pressure steamer at the middle school.
Belle Vernon Area School District has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for new food service equipment for BVA Middle School.
The district received $33,803 from the food service equipment grant, which is part of more than $332,000 awarded to 12 state education agencies. Crystal Clark, the district’s chief financial officer, led the effort to secure the grant.
“We are grateful for this opportuni...
The money will be used for a dual pressure steamer at the middle school.
Belle Vernon Area School District has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for new food service equipment for BVA Middle School.
The district received $33,803 from the food service equipment grant, which is part of more than $332,000 awarded to 12 state education agencies. Crystal Clark, the district’s chief financial officer, led the effort to secure the grant.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to improve our food service operations,” said Clark. “This grant allows us to provide healthier meals more efficiently, supporting our mission to nourish both the minds and bodies of our students.”
According to Clark, the grant is part of a broader effort by the Shapiro administration to expand access to healthy meals for all students.
The district will purchase a new dual pressure steamer, which is expected to prepare food more efficiently while preserving nutritional quality, according to a statement from the district.
“Food Service Equipment grants enable schools to have high-functioning equipment and wellequipped cafeterias so they can better serve students in meeting their health and nutritional needs,” said Acting PDE Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Students can’t learn when they’re hungry, and these grants help schools to make sure their cafeterias are serving students to the best of their abilities, fueling both students’ minds and bodies.”
The grant is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
“The dual pressure steamer will allow the middle school cafeteria to prepare meals more efficiently while preserving nutritional quality,” the district said in a statement. “The equipment will directly support the district’s participation in the National School Lunch Program and its commitment to student wellness.
“CFO Crystal Clark led the effort to secure the grant for Belle Vernon, aligning the district’s strategic goals with state and federal funding opportunities. Her initiative ensures that the district continues to invest in its students’ well-being and educational environment.”
Districts from Beaver, Washington, Bradford, Fulton, Luzerne, Mercer, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and Westmoreland counties received grants. BVA was the only district in the Mon Valley and Westmoreland County to be awarded grant money.
