Urban School Food Alliance Releases 2024 Annual Report Highlighting Progress in School Meal Programs Across the Nation

Washington D.C. – February 24, 2025 – The Urban School Food Alliance (USFA), a coalition of the nation’s largest school districts committed to improving the quality of school meals, proudly announces the release of its 2024 Annual Report. This comprehensive report details the Alliance’s achievements in advancing quality, access, and sustainability in school food programs that serve over four million students across the country.

The 2024 report underscores the USFA’s ongoing commitment to providing nutritious, high-quality meals to students while advocating for policies that support healthier school food systems. Key highlights from the Alliance and its member districts include:

• Advancements in Procurement Practices – Updates on the training events for better procurement practices nationwide, and a highlight on Boost The Roost, USFA’s No Antibiotic Ever Chicken Pilot.
• Healthy Meals – Increased access to fresh, locally sourced, and nutritious foods for students in urban school districts.
• Sustainability Milestones – Progress in reducing food waste, participation in plastic-free events, expanding composting programs, and implementing environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
• Equity and Access Improvements – Enhanced meal programs ensuring that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, receive nutritious meals.
• Advocacy and Influence Efforts – Review features on speaking engagements, news articles, awards, and events honoring school nutrition professionals.

“Every child deserves healthy and nourishing meals, and our 2024 Annual Report highlights the strides that the Urban School Food Alliance Member Districts have made in ensuring that school food programs across our member districts prioritize food quality, access, and sustainability ,” said Dr. Katie Wilson, Executive Director of the Urban School Food Alliance. “We are proud of the progress we have made, and we recognize that sustainable and transformational change takes time, but we are willing to lead the work that it takes to get to the goal.”

The Urban School Food Alliance remains dedicated to fostering collaboration among school districts to drive positive change that has the potential to impact school meal programs of all sizes nationwide. By leveraging collective purchasing power and sharing best practices, the Alliance continues to set the standard for excellence in school nutrition.

The full 2024 Annual Report is available for viewing or download on the Urban School Food Alliance’s website at https://bit.ly/USFA2024AnnualReport.

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