Schools, preschools and child care facilities throughout Idaho are being fed funding to help beef up nutrition solutions through technology.

The Idaho Department of Education reported that districts and other educational agencies would receive a combined $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install, improve or replace child nutrition technology solutions through the 2023 Technology Improvement Grant.

The grant money, distributed through the Child Nutrition Program, is awarded to the recipients in the form of mini grants and will be given over the next two years.

“In round one of the grant cycle, CNP awarded $157,639 to help 15 organizations purchase new equipment for their Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs,” DOE reported. “The grants are designed to assist CNP sponsors in adding technology that will improve accountability, performance and data accuracy within all Child Nutrition Programs statewide.”

Upgraded computers and printers, menu-planning software and card readers were among the improvements to be made. The round-one awardees are:

Basin School District, $750; Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley, $2,000; Bonneville Joint School District, $11,426; Future Public Charter School, $824, Hansen School District, $8,060; Lucky Duck Preschool, $24,000; Minidoka County School District, $9,816; Plummer Worley School District, $3,027; Shelley Joint School District, $15,366; Small World, $14,140; Castleford School District, $12,271; St. Vincent DePaul, $23,559; Orofino Joint School District, $24,000; Snake River School District, $4,000; St. Maries Joint School District, $4,397.

The awards are contingent upon USDA funds being made available, DOE stated.