North Rockland Central School District Receives

(ARLINGTON, VA – June 13, 2024) - The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named the North Rockland Central School District in New York the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant for school cafeteria furniture worth up to $200,000. Facing continued staffing and financial challenges, school nutrition professionals nationwide applied for SNF Equipment Grants in school year 2023-2024 to benefit the district’s school meal program and students they serve.

The district will use the grant to transform the Haverstraw Elementary School cafeteria into a welcoming environment that promotes healthy eating habits, social interaction and overall student well-being. According to North Rockland School Lunch Director Ray Posillipo, the school features outdated and uncomfortable furniture that lacks visual appeal and comfort, creating a rushed dining experience and discouraging social interactions. Currently, the cafeteria consists mainly of standard tables and chairs made of sturdy but sterile and uninspiring materials like metal and plastic. The district looks to improve the atmosphere and modernize the space to encourage students to enjoy their cafeteria experience and support increased school meal participation.

“We are so grateful for this grant to upgrade our cafeteria and further set the stage for good nutrition and student wellness at the elementary school,” said Posillipo. “We will have an opportunity to modernize the furniture and create a more inviting and functional space, supporting our efforts to increase student participation in our school meal program.”

Posillipo looks to incorporate flexible seating arrangements, ergonomic designs and interactive elements in the plan for the cafeteria. He feels that investing in a modern and inviting space will play a crucial role in providing more students with nutritious meals and contribute to a positive school environment.

“We are pleased to award the AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant to Ray Posillipo and the North Rockland Central School District,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS. “It’s so important to provide students with a comfortable and welcoming place to eat, we are confident that Ray and the school district will put the grant to great use.”

As the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Food Court Furniture Grant, the North Rockland Central School District's will be awarded up to $200,000 worth of AmTab furniture. They will work with AmTab representatives to determine what best suits their school district’s specific needs.

About School Nutrition Foundation:

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is the charitable arm of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). SNF supports school nutrition professionals by offering grants and scholarships, providing free training opportunities, and identifying research, trends and innovations. The 2024 SNF Equipment Grants are made possible by the generous contributions of AmTab, Winston Foodservice, ITW Food Equipment Group (Hobart Equipment and Vulcan Equipment), Food Warming Equipment Company, Inc., LTI Inc. and Cambro Manufacturing, Sterno Delivery and Innoseal Systems.

About School Nutrition Association:

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.