FSD Quarterly | Q1 2024

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS JOINS URBAN SCHOOL FOOD ALLIANCE OPERATIONS

THE NONPROFIT IS NOW MADE UP OF 19 OF THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY.

T he Urban School Food Alliance (USFA) has welcomed another district into its organization. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Falls Church, Va. will be joining the nonprofit, which aims to help member districts by shar- BY BENITA GINGERELLA

ing best practices, advocating for pol- icy aimed at improving student meal access, and utilizing its collective pur- chasing power to provide high-quali- ty student meals while keeping costs down. In the past, the USFA has helped its member districts adopt an antibiot- ic-free standard for chicken and turkey.

It also recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop new educational tools to help schools with procurement challenges. With the addition of FCPS, USFA’s membership now includes 19 of the largest school districts in the country. Some of its other member districts include Chicago Public Schools, Bos- ton Public Schools and Seattle Public Schools. “We are thrilled to be part of this organization as it provides us with the opportunity to positively impact the di- rection and perception of school meals in Fairfax County and beyond,” said Shaun Sawko, executive director of food and nutrition services at FCPS, in a statement. “We are eager to network with our fellow large school district peers and collaborate on best practices to overcome our unique challenges.”

Shawn Sawko, executive director of food and nutrition services at FCPS, and Dr. Katie Wilson, executive director of Urban School Food Alliance

We are thrilled to be part of this organization as it provides us with the opportunity to positively impact the direction and perception of school meals in Fairfax County and beyond.”

-Shawn Sawko

FSD QUARTERLY

Q1 2024

26

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARLON GORDON

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