In a December news release, Hobart Food Equipment Group, an Ohio-based food equipment manufacturer and service provider, announced that Evanston Township High School was the recipient of the company’s 2023 Equipment Grant. The grant, which is awarded in collaboration with the School Nutrition Foundation, allows winning schools to choose up to $35,000 in Hobart food preparation equipment. This year, ETHS chose an automatic heavy-duty slicer, a bowl-style food processor and three equipment stands.

ETHS qualified for the grant by outlining a plan to provide more ‘semi-scratch’ meals, and by demonstrating the need for new food equipment. The kitchen at the high school serves as a key resource for many other schools across the Evanston community, preparing food not only for high school students but also for 17 elementary and preschools in the area.

“Our aim is to offer students more fresh, local food options to support their healthy lifestyles and increase student participation in our breakfast and lunch programs,” said Kimberly Minestra, Director of Nutrition Services, in the release.

To meet the goal of making more meals with fresh, from-scratch ingredients, the ETHS kitchen relies on the output of students in the Urban Agriculture course, where students maintain the more than 5,000 square feet of on-site school gardens. Annually, those gardens produce up to 3,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables.

“While I think that there is still work to be done in terms of the food offerings at the school, I also appreciate the efforts to bring healthier food into the building,” said junior Patrick Tu.

As the food services department moves forward with their new goal, they plan to use the new Hobart equipment to achieve that objective.

“Knowing that Hobart can support ETHS’ efforts through this equipment grant is rewarding,” said Carolyn Bilger, Marketing Director at Hobart, in the release. “We wish them the best with their initiatives.”