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School Food
The Urban School Food Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created by school food service professionals in 2012 to address the unique needs of the nation’s largest school districts. Our members collaborate to share best practices, develop procurement standards, and advocate for the health and wellness of students.
By the Numbers
Each step we take makes us hungrier for progress, resulting in more smiling students in our schools.
Districts
Participating
Schools
Served
Million
Students
Million
Meals Served
Million
Spent on Procurement
LA USD hosts Student Celebrity Chef Showdown!
The Urban School Food Alliance is proud to welcome the Baltimore County Public Schools as our new District Member!
Our Third-Annual Cooking for Healthy Kids Culinary Training was a Success!
The week-long program focused on enhancing culinary expertise, promoting healthier eating habits among students, and improving the flavor and presentation of school meals. Attendees participated in dynamic workshops designed to encourage the consumption of plant-based meals in schools.
Nearly one million pounds delivered of No Antibiotic Ever chicken to schools!
BOOST THE ROOST Chicken Pilot
The Boost the Roost Pilot was a nearly four-year project with layers of research, planning, challenges, and successes – we’re excited to share the journey with you!
To learn more, visit the USFA Boost the Roost page and check out the booklet below!
Our
Responsibility
With the majority of our students qualifying for free or reduced-priced meals due to financial hardships, school meals provide the most consistent source of daily nutrition for these children. As the Alliance, we understand our great responsibility to provide access to healthy meals for our students. When students eat well, they also do well in school.
Our
Approach
To provide fresh, healthy and delicious meals to students, member districts work together on policy, share best practices and leverage our purchasing power to continue to drive food quality up and costs down while incorporating sound environmental practices.
Prioritizing
School Meals
“School meals play a critical role in a child’s ability to succeed in the classroom and in the future. The Urban School Food Alliance uses the collective strength of its member districts to ensure that the quality and accessibility of those meals is never diminished.”
Dr. Katie Wilson, Executive Director
Working Together:
Our Districts
Urban School Food Alliance began in 2012 with 6 founding districts: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Orlando. Since then USFA has grown our membership to include 19 districts across the United States, working together to provide fresh, healthy and delicious meals to students.
Supporters
The Alliance is made possible in part by the hard work and generosity of our supporters, who are dedicated to furthering our mission and shaping the future of school meals nationwide.
Join the Conversation
The latest news and headlines from Urban School Food Alliance
Urban School Food Alliance Launches District Pilot Project to Revolutionize School Food Procurement for Healthier Meals
Oct 11, 2025
Efficient procurement serves as a powerful lever for driving meaningful outcomes in school nutrition programs....
Baltimore City Public Schools: Behind the scenes: How City Schools’ Food and Nutrition team prepares for the new school year
Oct 2, 2025
Back-to-school means different things to different people, but for the Food and Nutrition team, it marks the...
Urban School Food Alliance Membership Welcomes Baltimore County Public Schools as Newest Member, Increasing Reach to 4.5 Million Students
Sep 29, 2025
USFA Expands Membership furthering vision of being the leading change agent for school nutrition WASHINGTON,...
TIME: Why It’s So Hard to Make School Lunches Healthier
Aug 25, 2025
Students at the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District in California dine on locally sourced fruits and...