Urban School Food Alliance Welcomes Aldine ISD, Leveraging Larger Collective Voice to Transform School Meals

Washington D.C. – April  28, 2025 – The Urban School Food Alliance (USFA), a powerhouse coalition of the nation’s largest school districts, announced the addition of Aldine Independent School District (AISD) as its 19th member, marking a significant step in its mission to transform child nutrition nationwide. As the fourth Texas district to join, AISD strengthens USFA’s collective voice in advocating for high-quality, equitable school meal programs.

Serving over 56,000 students across 80 campuses, AISD ranks among Texas’ top 15 largest school districts. Its School Nutrition program delivers nearly 12 million meals annually with a $25 million food procurement budget, addressing critical needs in a community where 85% of students qualify for free or reduced meals and live in a food desert. Beyond breakfast and lunch, AISD provides after-school snacks or suppers and operates a robust summer feeding program at approximately 50 sites.

“AISD’s commitment to feeding kids in need aligns perfectly with our vision,” said Dr. Katie Wilson, USFA Executive Director. “Their motto, ‘Because Kids,’ reflects our drive to empower district leaders to advance student achievement through nutritious meals. Welcoming AISD boosts our ability to set new standards for school nutrition.”

Susan D’Amico, MA, RD, SNS, Executive Director for AISD Child Nutrition Services, highlighted the value of joining USFA: “The Alliance’s data-driven approach to piloting best practices and collaborating with peers is unmatched. I’m eager to contribute to innovative solutions and leverage our collective influence to advocate for policies that support students.”

Founded in 2012, the USFA is a nonprofit representing 19 member districts that collectively serve 4.3 million students daily across 6,331 schools nationwide. With a combined purchasing power exceeding $957 million, 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.

“AISD’s addition strengthens our commitment to partnering with purpose,” said Dr. Wilson. “By growing our collaborative network, we amplify our capacity to deliver cost-effective, systemic improvements in school nutrition, empowering every member district, including AISD, to share expertise and resources that can transform the entire industry.”

For more information about the Urban School Food Alliance Members, visit Our Members Page.

To learn more about Aldine Independent School District visit their website here: https://www.aldineisd.org

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