Urban School Food Alliance Expands with Montgomery County Public Schools, Strengthening Nationwide Push for Healthier School Meals

“mcps dedication to serving nutritious, appealing meals in an inclusive setting resonates deeply with our goals.”

Washington D.C. – June 10, 2025 – The Urban School Food Alliance (USFA), a powerhouse coalition of the nation’s largest school districts, announced the addition of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) as its newest member, marking a significant milestone in its mission to transform child nutrition nationwide. MCPS is the second district from Maryland to join The Alliance and their addition strengthens USFA’s collective voice in advocating for high-quality, equitable school meal programs.

Serving nearly 160,000 students across 211 schools, MCPS is the largest school district in Maryland. Its Department of Food and Nutrition Services delivers over 18 million meals annually, addressing critical needs in a diverse community. Beyond breakfast and lunch, MCPS provides innovative meal programs in a respectful and inclusive environment tailored to students’ needs.

“MCPS dedication to serving nutritious, appealing meals in an inclusive setting resonates deeply with our goals,” said Dr. Katie Wilson, USFA Executive Director. “Their focus on fostering student success through efficient, innovative nutrition initiatives mirrors our commitment to empowering districts. Adding MCPS as our 20th member enhances our capacity to elevate school nutrition standards nationwide.”

Elizabeth Leach, Director of the Department of Food & Nutrition Services for MCPS, highlighted the value of joining USFA: “MCPS is thrilled to join nutrition innovators and leaders across the country in preparing students for success. We are particularly looking forward to collaborating, learning from others’ experiences, and sharing our own.”

Founded in 2012, the USFA is a nonprofit representing 20 member districts that collectively serve 4.5 million students daily across 6,542 schools nationwide. With a combined purchasing power exceeding $1 billion, USFA members drive transformative change in child nutrition through strategic procurement, evidence-based practices, and robust advocacy, ensuring access to healthy, high-quality meals for all students.

“The inclusion of MCPS enhances our shared mission to innovate and elevate school nutrition,” said Dr. Wilson. “Expanding our network with MCPS empowers us to drive impactful, cost-efficient changes, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing to revolutionize child nutrition across the nation.”

For more information about the Urban School Food Alliance and all of our member districts, visit https://urbanschoolfoodalliance.org/about-us/our-districts/

Media Contact: Melissa Mayer, Urban School Food Alliance, [email protected]

To reach the  school district, contact Liliana Lopez at [email protected]