Quick recap
The meeting focused on the challenges of introducing organic food into schools, with discussions on the importance of local organic food, the need for infrastructure and transportation to support this initiative, and the efforts of various individuals and organizations to promote healthier food options in schools. The group also explored strategies for implementing healthier food options in schools, including building relationships with decision-makers, starting with easy changes, and educating food service directors and parents about these issues. Lastly, the conversation ended with plans for monthly follow-up calls and the creation of a document to present to schools about healthy food programs.
VIDEO: Safe School Meals Coalition Call - 3月 18, 2025
Transcribed notes from the meeting
Next steps
- Zen to organize monthly calls to get organic, local, and seasonal food into schools.
- Anne to create an email list of this call's attendees.
- Anne to work with Kelly and Zen to create a document for schools about organic food implementation.
- Kelly to compile topics for future calls based on chat comments and discussions.
- Attendees to build relationships with school food service directors and administrators to promote organic food in schools.
- Attendees to consider starting with small changes like organic milk, fruit, or cereal in school meals.
- Hilda to explore featuring this initiative on her YouTube channel or podcast.
- Attendees to review the American Academy of Pediatrics policy on Food Additives and Children's Health.
- Attendees to consider addressing food prep processes and materials (e.g., switching to stainless steel or glass) in schools.
- Manasa to provide physician support for discussions with school administrators when needed.
Summary
Organic Food Challenges in Schools
In the meeting, Zen Honeycutt, the founding executive director of Moms Across America, led a discussion about the challenges of getting organic food into schools. The group acknowledged that the new administration has taken away a billion dollars worth of funding for local and organic foods, but they remain determined to find solutions. They plan to identify the problems, record them, and present a white paper to the new administration outlining the issues and proposed solutions. The group also discussed the importance of local organic food and the need for infrastructure and transportation to support this initiative.
Removing Plastic From Schools
In the meeting, Manasa, a pediatrician turned activist and entrepreneur, discussed her efforts to remove plastic from schools and promote healthier food options. Kelly Ryerson, founder of Glyphosate Facts and American Regeneration, emphasized the importance of clean food for children's health. Zen Honeycutt from Moms Across America shared data on toxins in school lunches, highlighting the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and veterinary drugs. Theresa and Carol Grieve also participated in the discussion. The conversation ended with Judy Shells from Conscious Kitchen introducing her nonprofit organization.
Organic Food in California Schools
Judi discussed the shift towards organic food in California schools, working closely with the State Superintendent and food service directors. She mentioned the collaboration with local organic farmers and the mapping of organic farms near schools. Judi also highlighted the work with the USDA and the Department of Defense to transition organic food into school systems. She mentioned the launch of a campaign to encourage all school districts to buy organic strawberries and the establishment of a purchasing co-op for school food service directors. Judi also shared the success of three school districts that are 100% organic and one that is 60% organic.
Improving School Lunches With Organic Food
Judi and Hillary discuss their efforts to improve school lunches. Judi works on transitioning schools to organic food, while Hillary runs a training program called School of Lunch to teach people how to source and prepare nutrient-dense meals for children. Chuck explains their approach of purchasing directly from local farmers to ensure clean, chemical-free food. The speakers emphasize the importance of empowering decision-makers with knowledge and support to make positive changes in school food programs.
Culinary Event and Platform Discussion
In the meeting, Sylvia expressed interest in getting information about a culinary event and possibly inviting attendees. Judi provided her email address and mentioned that the event would be at the Ecology Center. Zen suggested Sylvia contact the Ecology Center for more information. Judi clarified that the event was not listed on their website due to its small size. Sylvia planned to contact the Ecology Center and possibly invite school workers to attend. Judi emphasized the importance of involving school district leadership in the process. Terra discussed her platform connecting farms with consumers and potential public-private partnerships. Amber introduced the Open Food Network, a platform enabling food hubs and producers to sell local foods to their communities. Zen ended the conversation by promising to send out contact information for everyone.
Implementing Healthier Food Options in Schools
The discussion focuses on strategies for implementing healthier food options in schools. Judi and Hilary emphasize the importance of forming small coalitions of parents and approaching school administrators with a supportive, non-confrontational attitude. They suggest starting with small changes, providing examples of successful programs, and offering to help rather than criticizing. Charles adds that building a community around cooking and healthy eating can be powerful, and that volunteers can gain trust by participating in kitchen programs. The speakers stress the value of persistence, education, and presenting a unified voice to school administrators.
Organic Produce in Schools Discussion
In the meeting, Judi shared her experience of introducing organic cherry tomatoes to a food service director, which led to a 100% organic produce purchase. Manasa offered her support as a physician's voice for discussions and highlighted the American Academy of Pediatrics' formal health policy on food additives and children's health. She also mentioned her involvement in the Council for School Health and culinary medicine. The team discussed the importance of educating and empowering food service directors about the policy. Manasa agreed to share her email for further assistance. The conversation ended with a discussion on the questions to ask school nutrition directors to promote organic, local, and seasonal food in schools.
Introducing Organic Food in Schools
The group discusses strategies for introducing organic food into schools and improving food preparation practices. Judi recommends building relationships with decision-makers and starting with easy changes like organic milk or fruit. Alexandra raises concerns about exposure to toxins during food prep, while Hilary shares efforts to switch to safer cooking materials and cleaning supplies. Manasa suggests starting with stainless steel foodware as a tangible first step. The participants agree on the importance of educating food service directors and parents about these issues, with Hilda offering to help spread awareness through her podcast and YouTube channel.
Improving School Food Programs
The group discusses various initiatives and challenges related to improving school food programs. Pat shares an example of a school district near San Diego that serves organic food from its own greenhouses and a school where children tend organic plots. Angel highlights the issue of pushback from schools claiming kids won't eat healthier options, and suggests incorporating food education to get children excited about nutritious meals. Robin brings up the challenge of navigating procurement restrictions in school systems. The meeting concludes with plans for monthly follow-up calls and the creation of a document to present to schools about healthy food programs
Questions/Comments:
Kathleen Willey: What are the names please of the schools that are 60 and 100% organic? I am also here in the Bay Area, California. It is shocking that there are not guidelines for what a food director can order for the kids. Our school District often serves pop tarts, toxic nutrigrain bars and lots of sugar cereal for Breakfast snack, Do you think RFK will eventually create healthy guidelines for schools? Yes we serve hot food in plastic sadly…
Terra Osman | Farmish: I am the founder of Farmish, a marketplace for local farms. We have over 25,000 farms on our platform and we connect them with consumers and institutional buyers. We have a partnership with a major hospital system and are working on farm-to-school and food as medicine. I’m also on some state-level local food policy and farm-to-school committees and I’d love to share some insights on what we are working on in Michigan.” “Often a barrier for schools to buy local/direct is their food service contract. I think having a guide/info on renegotiating that would be beneficial.
Jessica Brassington: Hi! I’m in Texas and have share about GMOs for over a decade in my local communities and started Mama Bears Rising: Where moms go for Trusted info from Trusted Leaders. Please share your contacts or email me to be added to the list of resources we share [email protected]” “I have a call with MAHA Texas later today and want to bridge gap between your resources and integrating them here in Texas so moms are in the loop and keeping pressure on changes. How to message in a way that is tailored to different audiences: the parent, the employee, the board member, the superintendent, elected officials, etc.
Manasa Mantravadi: I’m Dr. Manasa Mantravadi - hello! AHIMSA ahimsahome.com and ahimsaschools.com is the company I founded to practice Pediatrics at scale and in a preventative way through a proper food system!!!!
Angela Rogers: I am in a small town in Texas, a student to become a natropathic doctor and a mom. I can not get some directors of the food department to even call me back, but there are some that do. How could I go about getting the ones that have answered, to change over? Especially when it comes to artificial colorings
MK Sharp: What’s the best way to connect organic & regenerative farm owners with Hilary and Judi’s work, so they can connect with local school districts? Their websites?
Laraine Abbey-Katzev: My website with natural food school meals focus: https://betterfoodforbetterkids.org/
Andrea Dietrich: Hi, I'm Andrea Dietrich, Nutrition health coach and lunch assistant at my kid's Elementary school. From my health coach program, I learned that glyphosate is an antibiotic. Since I found this out, I am a strong advocate for banning glyphosate from commercial farming. Why is the FDA and USDA allowing commercial farms to prescribe the glyphosate antibiotic to us? For those interested, I wrote a blog about the glyphosate antibiotic. https://www.adietrichlife.com/post/game-changer-glyphosate-is-an-antibiotic.
Erin MacDonald: I sit on the wellness council in the Hermosa Beach school District and would love to present this to our district.
Charles Barth: Hilary Boynton from schooloflunch.com. [email protected]. We serve as a model for others. You can sign up for our email list on our website.
Lauren Ayers: I just found out that in Marin County has a low-income area and the 12-8 school there has been serving 100% organic food for the past 12 years. A large school district in Contra Costa County, 62 schools, is at 60% organic. Cal Education Secretary Tony Thurmond is aiming for all school meals being organic!. Our little group, GoodSchoolFood, didn’t even know about this until this week, so evidently it’s low profile. Having that state-level activity will make our local effort a lot easier! My 20-years-ago experience is an article in the current issue of Wise Traditions (WestonAPrice.org) describes having 3/4 of my class (a small class of 11 kids in a special ed classroom) eagerly eat a sardine every day for the last 3 months of school:
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/sardines-for-brain-health
&
https://laurenayers.substack.com/p/how-my-students-learned-to-like-sardines
Does anyone know if this initiative is making a difference in California?
Lauren Ayers, [email protected], 530-796-2463 (landline, no texting)
Mindi Shoemake: Hello, do you know if there are any efforts being made to change the USDA requirements or National Lunch Program requirements? In speaking with a food service provider at one of our schools, her struggle was trying to fit healthy foods into the USDA requirements so that the school could continue to retain their federal food funding?
Micah Roseberry: Agriculture, Implementation, Research, and Education (AIRE) non-profit, producing local, organic USDA school lunches 800 daily for 10 years, small but a program that can be replicated. Taos, New Mexico. Strong farm-to-school garden programs, culinary programs. Love to share resources. [email protected]
Heather Gallagher: Maybe ask elected officials across the USA that are looking to ban food dyes, artificial, fillers, ect. California is banning food dyes that we are seeing in our schools food system: California Bans 6 Food Dyes in School Foods - Consumer Reports
Andrea Dietrich: I would love to see more schools educate students about nutrition, cooking and growing food at school. I know there are organizations that are doing this but we need to offer such a program in more schools. We need to train the students' palates about eating the rainbow of whole foods and growing these foods so these can crowd out the processed foods. Also, this will help students get engaged and invested in eating whole foods.
Andrea Dietrich: @Manasa Mantravadi Have you/organizations done any research on the glyphosate antibiotics' effect on the environment? I am interested to learn more. Thanks!
Angel Oakley: I’m Angel Oakley in the Chicago Suburbs. [email protected]
Check out Handcutfoods.com. They have a curriculum to get kids excited about nutritious food. I have seen this in action and it is impressive. I’m not involved in the company but would like to see more schools incorporate this model.
Laraine Abbey-Katzev: check out BFFBK.org which is short access to BetterFoodForBetterKids.org. Also suggest reaching out to Hillsdale College on these goals. They have the Barney Schools and curriculums for home school.
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