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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
Billion
Spent on Procurement
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!
The Urban School Food Alliance is proud to welcome the Aldine Independent School District as our new District Member!
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 20 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 Transforms School Meals at Third-Annual Cooking for Healthy Kids Training
May 22, 2025
School Nutrition Professionals Gain Culinary Expertise to Elevate Student Dining Nationwide Washington D.C. – May...
Urban School Food Alliance Completes Pioneering NAE Chicken Pilot, Enhancing School Nutrition Nationwide
May 14, 2025
Final digital recap available, showcasing the delivery of 955,550 pounds of No Antibiotic Ever chicken to...
Smithsonian Magazine: American Schools Have Been Feeding Children for More Than 100 Years. Here’s How the School Lunch Has Changed
May 13, 2025
A new exhibition in Philadelphia spotlights the evolution of American nutritional health through a unique lens:...
HuffPost: I Randomly Decided To Pay Off A School’s Lunch Debt. Then Something Incredible Happened.
May 5, 2025
The thing about witnessing a 7-year-old having their hot lunch tray yanked away and replaced with a cold sandwich...