Large scale initiatives, like Boost the Roost, would not be possible without forming partnerships with organizations that hold shared values. Dr. Katie Wilson sat down with Valeria La Rosa, Program Director at Life Time Foundation to discuss working together on this project.
“When we learned that the largest school districts in the country were coming together to work on breaking down access to clean-label products – one that is the number one protein being served in schools – we knew manufacturers were going to pay attention. We (the Life Time Foundation) knew that by helping the largest school districts with their own procurement goals, it meant that we were also helping the small and medium sized districts. To us, the power that is brought by this coalition of large school districts is an important voice that we think manufacturers truly care about.”
La Rosa continued, “At the end of the day we all want what is best for children and this is a space where we are all working together to ensure that we are helping children be the best they can be.”
USFA and the Life Time Foundation have a shared mission of eliminating ingredients of concern from school food. You can learn more about the Life Time Foundation, and their free online tool, Green Onion, by visiting their website.
The conversation covered the successes, challenges, and ideas on what similar initiatives may look like in the future. Be sure to watch the full video above to gain further insight in what it is like to partner with the Urban School Food Alliance.
Thank you to the Life Time Foundation and all of our strategic partners.
USFA continues to seek partnerships with organizations that share common goals with our members. Together, we will keep improving school meals and the Alliance will continue to be a leader in the industry.
Click HERE to donate or learn how to partner with the Urban School Food Alliance on future initiatives.
Read more on this topic in the full digital publication HERE.
Access FREE Boost The Roost downloadable resources on our website HERE.
Join the Conversation
The latest news and headlines from Urban School Food Alliance
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...
IDFA: Dairy Companies Slash Added Sugars by Nearly 60% in School Milk as New School Year Begins
Aug 21, 2025
“The Urban School Food Alliance applauds the work of the IDFA and milk processors for continuing to put student...
Local10: What’s for lunch this year at Broward County public schools?
Aug 11, 2025
“We prepare healthy, balanced meals so that our students have that every school day,” Broward County Public...
FSD: K-12 operators share their best practices when operating a feeding site during a disaster
Jul 16, 2025
When disaster strikes, school nutrition teams are often the ones on the frontlines feeding those in the...