Transforming School Meals to Protect and Nourish Our Kids

Join our national coalition uniting schools, parents, organizations, businesses, clinicians, educators and policymakers to eliminate harmful chemicals and bring real food back to school lunchrooms.

School Nutrition is Healthcare

The childhood obesity epidemic sharply rose after the 1970s—coinciding with the commercialization of school lunch programs into processed, plastic-packaged food service. This transformation highlights how environmental and dietary factors directly impact metabolic health.

With about 10,000 chemicals permitted in the U.S. food supply compared to only 400 in Europe, our children face unprecedented exposure to additives during their most formative years. Schools serve over 30 million meals daily, making cafeterias a critical intervention point for reversing childhood health trends.

We’re the Safe School Meals Coalition

We’re uniting diverse stakeholders to transform school food environments. We advocate for whole ingredients, scratch cooking, and safe foodware — to nourish kids and protect future generations.

Real Food

We champion the procurement of whole and minimally processed foods from local and regional producers. Working with partners like the Open Food Network and National Farm to School Network, we connect schools with sustainable food systems that provide fresher ingredients while supporting local economies and reducing environmental impact.

Zero Waste

Our coalition helps schools replace single-use plastics with safe, reusable foodware while implementing efficient systems for minimizing food waste through smart procurement, recycling, and composting—teaching sustainability while reducing environmental impact.

Scratch Cooking

Through partnerships with the Chef Ann Foundation and ScratchWorks, we help schools transition to preparing meals from basic ingredients. Scratch cooking preserves optimal nutritional quality, reduces packaging waste, and allows for menu flexibility that responds to student preferences while meeting dietary guidelines.

Nutrition Education

Rainbow Chefs Academy combats childhood obesity through hands-on culinary programs that align with educational standards, equipping students with essential skills for healthier food choices while inspiring lifelong wellness habits in schools, camps, and youth organizations.

Join Our Monthly Coalition Calls

Upcoming Call: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern

Join a grassroots coalition call bringing together parents, educators, school leaders, experts and advocates to reimagine school lunch systems. We’ll explore ways to make food organic, nutrient-dense, and locally sourced, foodware safe and reusable, and cafeteria operations more sustainable and equitable. 

Safe food. Safe schools. Thriving students.

Resources for Schools

  • Implementation Toolkits

    GET THE TOOLKITS →

  • Case Studies

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  • Grants + Funding Opportunities

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  • Local Sourcing Guides

    GET THE GUIDES →

  • Policy Brief Templates

    GET THE TEMPLATES →

Get Involved

Join a growing national movement to transform school meals. Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare professional, policymaker, or concerned citizen, your voice matters in creating healthier food environments for students.