members collectively purchase can change the industry for the better – we must lean in and go boldly where others have not gone before if we want the system to include value-based procurements. In light of our first value statement of elevating environmental stewardship , we continued down the path of uplifting Plastic Free School Lunch Day in the fall and the spring of the year. Once again, our volume of collective use can change an industry. Single-use plastic is not necessary in so many places. We have to become more conscience of when we can do without, which requires both practice and new practices. From developing and sharing menus that do not need single-use plastic to writing procurements requesting reduced plastic packaging and requiring hotels hosting our meetings to abstain from single-use plastic in their service, we are making a transformational change in the way “we have always done it.” This initiative also complements the past development of a school food service friendly compostable round plate which was the very first initiative the Urban School Food Alliance completed as an organization. The volume of plates purchased by our districts lowered the price for all districts nationwide and has eliminated tons of Styrofoam trays from landfills nationwide over the past several years. In partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, the Urban School Food Alliance provided a week-long immersion culinary skills training for all member districts. This training was based on incorporating culinary skills and train-the-trainer ideas to implement plant-forward menu items for the K-12 meal service. Chefs and district trainers from member districts took the skills and the recipe ideas back to their districts to keep the momentum going to increase flavor profiles, incorporate scratch cooking practices, boost employee confidence in the kitchen, and bring students into the school cafeteria looking for delicious, appealing plant-forward meals. As the year was wrapping up and we were completing our fall in-person meeting, hosted by Memphis-Shelby County Schools, we were proud to announce the award of a three- year cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to dig deep into school food procurement practices and rethink the way we do business. Over the next three years, we will be exploring ways to include all stakeholders in redefining how school procurement can be more efficient, cost-effective ,and supportive of community producers for a more sustainable, stronger food supply chain. So much is happening within the growing Urban School Food Alliance. We use our unique position of having a membership that consists of the people on the ground – in the districts – in the serving lines – making critical decisions. I welcome you to join us in this important work by helping us with a generous donation. We need your support to keep this all going.
Looking forward to new boldness in 2024.
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Letter from our Leadership
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