Petersburg City Schools Nutrition Department Receives $100,000 Grant

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), the charitable arm of the non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA), has named Sandra Stokes, SNS, School Nutrition Director, Petersburg City Public Schools in Petersburg, Virginia, the recipient of the Winston Equipment Grant for school meal program equipment. Facing persistent supply chain disruptions and continued staffing challenges, school nutrition professionals around the country applied for SNF Equipment Grants in the fall of 2021. The grant, worth up to $100,000 in Winston FoodService Equipment, will replace 10 pieces of equipment to benefit the district’s school meal program.

Stokes oversees a nutrition program which feeds just over 4,200 students in eight schools. When she arrived in the district in the middle of the pandemic, one of the first things she noticed was the aging equipment in the nutrition department – most of the equipment is over twenty years old.

“Getting these new warmers for our schools will be a giant step towards giving these kids more hot, nutritious meals they are entitled to. It will be nice to have equipment which is reliable,” said Sandra Stokes, School Nutrition Director, Petersburg City Schools.

Staffing shortages in Petersburg City Schools has forced nutrition staff to cook all of the food for lunches at once instead of batch cooking. At Vernon John Middle School, the plan is to replace two hot holding stations, each about 25 years old. At Westview Early Childhood Education Center, Cool Springs Elementary School and Walnut Hill Elementary some of Winston Equipment Grant will be used to replace portable heated cabinets.

“We are thankful for our industry partners who recognize there is a great need to help our schools upgrade kitchens. Not only have school nutrition programs been persevering through staffing shortages and supply chain challenges, many have also faced budget restrictions while still ensuring students have access to healthy meals each school day,'' said SNF Chair, JoAnne Robinett, MSA, SNS.

“We know that it is rough out there these days. Supply chain disruptions, inflation, and labor shortages make it quite the challenge to run a school food service program. We are proud of our partnership with the SNF and appreciate the opportunity to participate in this program. I genuinely hope that our equipment helps make life a little easier for the team over at Petersburg City, while ensuring the kids get a nice hot meal” said Winston CEO, Shaun Tanner.

Petersburg City Schools will now work with Winston FoodService representatives to get the needed equipment ordered and delivered for the next school year.