06/19/2026
Fantastic grant program for Fulton Independent Middle / High School --
Fulton Independent Schools Receives
School Nutrition Foundation Grant for New AmTab Furniture
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Ashley Teasley, Food Service Director for Fulton Independent Schools in Kentucky, the recipient of the AmTab Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Grant worth up to $200,000. The grant is among 2026 SNF Equipment Grants available to help school meal programs overcome staffing, budget or operational challenges. The additional funding supports programs working to expand fresh and scratch-made menu options, increase efficiencies and enhance the cafeteria experience to nourish students’ school days.
Built in 1972 without a cafeteria, Fulton City High School created a dining space in 2000 using existing tables and chairs that are not inviting. The round tables are dated, chipped and dull, bulky metal chairs are hard to move and the carpeted floor inhibits janitorial staff from efficiently cleaning up food spills between lunches. The AmTab furniture grant will enable a transformation of the space to a food court concept with flexible seating options and bright colors to make the area more appealing.
All Fulton students are eligible to receive free school meals and 93% of students are economically disadvantaged, making school meal service a vital source of nutrition within the community. Teasley and her team anticipate the cafeteria makeover will foster a positive association with mealtime and encourage students to choose nutritious options.
A more receptive seating area will also create opportunities for Teasley to showcase taste-test panels and engage students in nutrition education programs and fun events such as menu-naming and meme contests. The cafeteria space is the entry to the school and provides the first impression to visitors, parents and students and Teasley’s goal is to modernize the area to be more accessible, inviting and functional.
“Our dining area will become a place where students fuel their body and their minds; we want them to feel more welcomed. The funds allow us to improve the overall school culture and provide a positive atmosphere to nourish our students, many of whom experience food insecurity,” said Ashley Teasley, Food Service Director.
In a recent School Nutrition Association survey of school meal program directors, 95% of respondents reported challenges with the cost of equipment.
“This grant addresses a critical need, providing funds to allow Fulton City High School to create a cafeteria environment that better supports their students’ needs,” said SNF Chair, Gay Anderson, SNS.
As the recipient of the AmTab Indoor/Outdoor Furniture Grant, Fulton Independent Schools will be awarded furniture worth up to $200,000. 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 2026 SNF Equipment Grants are made possible by the generous contributions of Alto-Shaam, AmTab, Cambro Manufacturing, Food Warming Equipment Company (FWE), Fork Farms, Hobart (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC Brand), Innoseal, LTI, Inc., Vulcan (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC brand), and Winston Foodservice.
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.
