USFA In Action | Urban School Food Alliance

Procurement Resources and Initiatives

Local Procurement Miniseries

School meals provide important nutrition to 30 million students a day. The time is now for schools to be bold and creative when considering their purchasing power and their responsibilities in serving their community. The procurement processes used by schools can have a tremendous impact on the viability of local farmers, processors, and their ability to supply healthy local food to schools.

Learn more about the Local Procurement Miniseries!

Chicken Pilot

The Urban School Food Alliance (USFA) is proud to announce the launch of its student tested and approved Chicken Pilot using only No Antibiotic Ever (NAE) chicken. The first-of-its kind Pilot launched in 14 participating school districts across the country bringing innovative, healthy and delicious chicken items to students, as well as causing needed disruption and change with a new healthier school food procurement model to support nutrition directors’ operations.

In 2025, we have launched our Boost the Roost – a full recap of our No Antibiotic Ever and Clean-Label Chicken Pilot. Click on the button below to learn more!

Visit here for more info!

Annual Meetings

2024 Annual Winter Meeting at Palm Beach County Schools

2024 USFA Winter Meeting Vendor Interviews

USFA also invited vendors to discuss innovative and clean label products.

2023 Annual Fall Meeting at Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Members of USFA were excited to be together in person to learn from one another, hear updates from USDA, learn more about current research, discuss critical topics and see school meal operations firsthand at Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Watch this video to learn more about USFA.

2023 USFA Fall Meeting Vendor Interviews

USFA also invited vendors to discuss innovative and clean label products.

2023 Annual Winter Meeting at LA Unified School District

Members of USFA were excited to be together in person to learn from one another, hear updates from USDA, learn more about current research, discuss critical topics and see school meal operations firsthand at LA Unified School District. Watch this video to learn more about USFA.

Trainining Initiatives

USFA Culinary Training Impact Report

View the Impact Report

USFA Culinary Training at the Culinary Institute of America

In partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, member district school district chefs and trainers attend a one-week “Train the Trainer” on developing and improving culinary skills with a focus on plant-based menu items.

2023 USFA Board Training

Events

USFA WINS SUMMIT AWARD AT ASAE

The Urban School Food Alliance is honored to announce that we have been recognized by ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards for the program “Hunger Does Not Take a Vacation”. The Alliance has been selected to receive the 2024 Summit Award, the highest distinction for associations, in the Power of Community Support and Engagement category.

This prestigious award highlights the crucial role School Food programs play, not only in a child’s daily academic success but also in the community as a whole.

October is Farm to School Month!

The Urban School Food Alliance is proud to celebrate all the efforts our members continue to make to support their local growers, ranchers, producers, and fishers while bringing fresh, local, culturally significant foods to school children across the nation.

Happy National Farm to School Month!