Coalition for Healthy School Food

What Coalition for Healthy School Food does

The Coalition for Healthy School Food (legal entity New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in New York in 2004 (IRS status granted January 2005) and headquartered in Mamaroneck, NY. It is staffed by 4 employees plus a board of directors and a 14-person advisory board. The organization's mission is to introduce plant-based foods and nutrition education into K-12 schools, targeting childhood obesity, diet-related disease, and food system sustainability. Its core assets are a proprietary, USDA-compliant plant-based recipe library (Cool School Food Recipes) developed in partnership with Moosewood Restaurant and Candle Cafe, and the Food UnEarthed nutrition education curriculum for PreK-2 students, supplemented by classroom presentations, visiting-chef programs, after-school cooking classes, family dinner nights, school food environment assessments, and a hotline for food service directors.

The organization operates through formal, ongoing partnerships with two anchor school districts — the New York City Office of Food and Nutrition Services (since 2008) and the Ithaca City School District (since 2008) — and channels recipes to tens of thousands of additional schools via the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (14,000+ schools since 2012) and the California Department of Education. Revenue comes from individual donations, a six-tier corporate sponsorship program for plant-based food companies ($1,000 to $20,000+ annually), fundraising events (annual vegan food tasting, silent auctions, NYC Marathon charity team), and cause-marketing affiliates (GoodShop, Amazon Smile, eBay for Charity, Facebook Fundraisers, Roundup). The organization is governed by a volunteer board led by Executive Director Amie Hamlin and Program Director Kelley Wind.

Strategic positioning is defined by three pillars: (1) USDA-compliant content that lowers the implementation bar for food service directors operating on roughly $1.10 per meal for actual food cost; (2) policy advocacy at federal, state, and local levels, including active support for NY State bill S996/A3708 to require plant-based options in public schools, partnered with PCRM and the League of Humane Voters of New York; and (3) a board and advisory board credibility layer drawn from nutrition science, medicine, and former food service operations. Pricing applies to sponsorship tiers, event tickets ($50-$75), and marathon fundraising commitments ($3,000), while core recipes and curriculum materials are distributed at low or no cost to schools.

Name

Coalition for Healthy School Food

Legal name

New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches, Inc.

Website

https://healthyschoolfood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Coalition for Healthy School Food is a Mamaroneck, NY-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (founded 2004) that introduces USDA-compliant plant-based recipes, nutrition education curriculum, and staff training into K-12 public schools via formal partnerships with NYC and Ithaca school districts and distribution through Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Nutrition Education Services

akta.pro primary industry

Food Services Administration (Meal Eligibility, POS, Nutrition Compliance) (EDAJAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Menu Planning, Nutrition & Dietary Accommodation Services (Allergens, Special Diets) (EDAEAEAD), Meal Program Compliance & Administration (NSLP/SBP, Reimbursements) (EDAEAEAC)

Keywords

• School nutrition education
• Plant-based recipes
• Nutrition curriculum
• Food service training
• School food programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mamaroneck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission of improving school food. Donations accepted via check, online platforms, stock donations, and various giving programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers ($1,000-$20,000+ annually) providing logo placement, newsletter inclusion, and social media recognition. Legal name: New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches, Inc., EIN: 43-2054405.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual vegan food tasting events (20th anniversary event October 2024, $50-75 tickets), silent auctions, holiday auctions, NYC Marathon charity team participation ($3,000 fundraising commitment).
4. Cause Marketing Programs: Revenue generated through GoodShop (partnered with 5,000+ stores), Amazon Smile, eBay for Charity, Facebook Fundraisers, and Roundup App.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Coalition for Healthy School Food develops plant-based (vegan) recipes compliant with USDA School Meals Program requirements, provides nutrition education curricula for PreK-12 students, trains school food service staff, and conducts school food environment assessments. It also advocates for policy changes at federal, state, and local levels to improve school nutrition standards.

Product overview

Coalition for Healthy School Food is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs, resources, and services centered on introducing plant-based foods and nutrition education in schools. The core offerings include the Cool School Food recipe program (with quantity recipes meeting USDA requirements distributed to schools in 32 states), the Food UnEarthed curriculum for PreK-2 students, and various classroom and after-school cooking programs. Additional services include School Food Environment Assessments, Wellness Committee Consulting, chef training for school cooks, and the Healthy School Food Hotline. The organization also hosts annual events including the Vegan Food Tasting fundraiser. All programs focus on educating the school community about health, environmental, and social justice implications of food choices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cool School Food Recipes Kid-tested plant-based entree recipes meeting USDA School Meals Program meat/meat alternate component requirements, available in family-size and quantity formats for school food service operations.
• Food UnEarthed Curriculum Nutrition education curriculum for PreK-2nd grade students teaching about healthy eating, food choices, and their impact on health, environment, and social justice.
• Cool School Food in the Classroom Educational presentations delivered to students about plant-based nutrition and healthy eating, available for teachers to conduct themselves or with Coalition support.
• Family & Consumer Sciences Curriculum

Quantifiable outcome

• 40-53% of African American and Latino children will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetimes without dietary changes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• New York City Office of Food and Nutrition ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Formal and ongoing partnership since January 2008. Coalition helped create a vegetarian menu for PS244 which expanded to multiple schools including PS343, PS971, and PS90. Provides recipe development, staff training, and program support for NYC school food service.
• Moosewood Restaurant (Ithaca)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Partnership to develop plant-based entrees for school lunch programs. Ten recipes developed and shared to tens of thousands of schools nationwide. Recipes feature international flavors and are kid-tested and approved.
• Greenstar Food Coop (Ithaca)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate version of federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program operated in partnership with Greenstar at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. Program ran for two years and expanded to five Ithaca schools before the pandemic.
• Candle Cafe (NYC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner restaurant that brought plant-based entrees into a Harlem school. Developed Black Beans & Plantains on Rice recipe which became a favorite in NYC schools.
• Alliance for a Healthier GenerationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJuly 2012: Recipes distributed to 14,000 schools nationwide through Alliance for a Healthier Generation network, significantly expanding reach beyond direct partnerships.
• California Department of EducationsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecipes shared with all schools in California, providing additional distribution channel for the organization's recipe library.
• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partnership in advocating for NY State bill S996/A3708 requiring schools to offer plant-based food options. Coalition works with PCRM on policy advocacy efforts.
• League of Humane Voters of New YorksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIntroducer of NY State bill S996/A3708 relating to requiring public schools to offer plant-based food options. Coalition actively supports this legislative effort.
• Healthy CampaignminorOthersSponsor at Orchard level, logo displayed on website. Organization supports plant-based food initiatives.
• American BeanminorOthersSeed Sponsor with logo on website. Company produces bean products aligned with organization's plant-based mission.
• Cynthia King Dance StudiominorOthersSeed Sponsor with logo on website. Dance studio founder Cynthia King serves on Coalition's Board.
• Edward and SonsminorOthersSeed Sponsor with logo on website. Company produces plant-based food products.
• Fruit BlissminorOthersSeed Sponsor with logo on website. Company produces fruit-based plant products.
• SeaSnaxminorOthersSeed Sponsor with logo on website. Company produces plant-based snack products.
• Pleese FoodsminorOthersCEO Kobi Regev serves on Coalition's Board. Company produces plant-based cheese alternatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Humane Society of the United States - Food Policy program:
• School Nutrition Association: The largest national membership organization for school food service professionals, representing 50,000+ members. A much larger incumbent in the same stakeholder ecosystem CHSF targets (food service directors), though it is a member association rather than a mission-driven nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: 501(c)(3) that actively advocates for plant-based school meal options and nutrition policy. Already a stated CHSF advocacy partner on NY State bill S996/A3708, directly competing in the same niche of policy advocacy and school nutrition reform.
• FoodCorps: 501(c)(3) that places service members in schools to teach nutrition and build gardens, with similar mission of improving school food and nutrition education. Comparable in target audience (K-12 schools), operational model (partnerships with districts), and funding structure (donations/grants).
• Chef Ann Foundation: 501(c)(3) focused on improving school food through scratch-cooking programs, salad bars, and nutrition education. Targets the same K-12 district customers and operates via direct partnerships, training, and curriculum - closely aligned with CHSF's service model.
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation: 501(c)(3) that works with schools to improve nutrition and physical activity. Already a stated channel partner of CHSF (distributed recipes to 14,000 schools in 2012), making it both a peer and a distribution partner operating in overlapping mission space.
• Healthy Schools Campaign: 501(c)(3) focused on school food policy advocacy, particularly at the federal level. Comparable in policy advocacy emphasis, donor-funded model, and focus on healthy school meals, though geographically anchored in Chicago.
• Whole Kids Foundation: 501(c)(3) founded by Whole Foods Market that funds school garden grants, salad bars, and nutrition education. Comparable donor-funded K-12 nutrition mission with similar emphasis on direct school partnerships and curriculum support.
• Action for Healthy Kids: 501(c)(3) that partners with schools to improve nutrition and physical activity through grants, programs, and advocacy. Overlapping donor base, K-12 school district partnerships, and curriculum/training offerings.

Emerging players

• Friends of the Earth: Environmental nonprofit whose Food and Agriculture program has piloted plant-forward school menus (e.g., Oakland $42K savings case cited by CHSF). Operates in adjacent - not core - plant-based school food space and is a broader environmental organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/coolschoolfood
• Facebookfacebook.com/HealthySchoolFood
• Instagraminstagram.com/healthyschoolfood
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-coalition-for-healthy-school-food

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coalition for Healthy School Food