NATCHEZ — Deep-fried foods could soon become a thing of the past in the Natchez-Adams School District.

On Thursday the Natchez-Adams School Board voted to allow the district’s food service supervisor Dan Hogan to pursue a state grant that could provide funding for new kitchen equipment for the district’s schools.

But that grant comes with stipulations, Hogan said.

“It requires us to take the deep-fryers out of the schools,” Hogan said.

If the Natchez-Adams District is chosen as a grant recipient, they will be able to pick from several new pieces of kitchen equipment to purchase with up to $38,000 in funding per school.

But Hogan said to be considered a good candidate to receive the grant, the state board of education prefers the school’s use the grant money to invest in combi ovens.

Hogan said the combi oven uses a combination of steam and convection heat to cook.

While Hogan has never tried any combi-cooked food, he said he’s been told it’s as good as fried food.

Hogan said he will submit Frazier Primary, Robert Lewis Middle School, McLaurin Elementary and Morgantown Elementary School for consideration.

“But there’s no way to tell what schools will get funding or how much they’ll get,” he said.

But no matter the amount of money or the number of schools that receive funding, it all helps, Hogan said.

Hogan said the district only buys costly equipment as it’s needed and would not likely replace any kitchen equipment until it’s broken.

A new combi oven costs approximately $20,000.

Aside from the cost savings to the district, the students will receive the ultimate benefit, Hogan said.

“We’re already serving nutritious food, and this is going to help to make it even better,” he said.

Hogan must apply for the grant by next Friday for the district to be eligible.

If the Natchez-Adams District is selected as a grant recipient, the new equipment will be in place by the start of the new school year, Hogan said.