School food has become increasingly more processed and less healthy. With the right knowledge and tools, schools can transform their kitchens and lunchrooms to support student health, wellbeing, and academic success.

Visit Overview
About Chef Ann Foundation
FAQ

Recipes and menus are the heart of school food change. These recipes have been developed by school food professionals, kid-tested, and perfected in school kitchens. 
 

Visit Overview
What is Scratch Cooking?
Recipes
Fresh Animal Proteins
Menu Development
Menu Cycles
Menu Templates

Management is a general term for: fiscal management, human resources, facilities, assessment, and wellness policies. In order for a district’s food service department to be successful, the director has to be adept in a vast array of subjects.

Visit Overview
Roadmap for the School Year
Fiscal Management
Emergency Resources
Human Resources
Staff Appreciation
Professional Development
Training Videos
School Food Institute
Healthy School Food Pathway
Central Kitchens
Facilities
HACCP
Assessment & Next Steps
Wellness Policy & Smart Snacks
Local Wellness Policy
Smart Snacks in Schools
Tools & Resources
SOPs

Procurement is one of the most complex processes within food service departments. In the event of shifting a program from using processed, ready-to-heat foods to scratch cooked recipes, many processes change.

Visit Overview
Getting Started
The K-12 Food System
Values-Aligned Procurement
Examples of Values-Aligned Procurement
Tools & Resources

Marketing in food service ranges from finding local sponsors, to creating a brand and promotional materials, to engaging students in cooking and menu design.

Visit Overview
Branding Your Program
District Communications
Social Media Toolkit
Partnerships
Posters & Signs

Lunchroom education activities engage students with food-focused learning opportunities. Explore the wide world of fun food programs!

Visit Overview
Tastings
Rainbow Days
Art Contests
Chef Demonstrations
Junior Chef Competitions
Farm to School
Volunteers & Interns

This section is dedicated to the “Big Ideas” - areas we think make a huge impact and will play a large role in the future of school food.

Visit Overview
Salad Bars
Best Practices
Assessment & Planning
Recipes & Layouts
Training & Operations
Tools & Resources
School Breakfast
Getting Started
Operations
Menu Development
Marketing
Tools & Resources
Sustainable Lunchrooms
Plant Forward
Plant Forward Recipes
Case Study
Waste Reduction
Tools & Resources

Our grants and programs help schools serve students fresher, healthier, and tastier meals.

Visit Overview
Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
Healthy School Food Pathway
Values-Aligned Purchasing Collectives
Starting From Scratch
Bulk Milk
Application Portal
Grant Writing & Management
Chef Ann Foundation
School Food Institute
Blog
Chef Ann Foundation
School Food Institute
Blog

Search The Lunchbox
Donate

Why Scratch Cooking?

School food has become increasingly more processed and less healthy. With the right knowledge and tools, schools can transform their kitchens and lunchrooms to support student health, wellbeing, and academic success.

Visit Overview
About Chef Ann Foundation
FAQ

Recipes & Menus

Recipes and menus are the heart of school food change. These recipes have been developed by school food professionals, kid-tested, and perfected in school kitchens. 
 

Visit Overview
What is Scratch Cooking?
Recipes
Fresh Animal Proteins
Menu Development
Menu Cycles
Menu Templates

Management

Management is a general term for: fiscal management, human resources, facilities, assessment, and wellness policies. In order for a district’s food service department to be successful, the director has to be adept in a vast array of subjects.

Visit Overview
Roadmap for the School Year
Fiscal Management
Emergency Resources
Human Resources
Staff Appreciation
Professional Development
Training Videos
School Food Institute
Healthy School Food Pathway
Central Kitchens
Facilities
HACCP
Assessment & Next Steps
Wellness Policy & Smart Snacks
Local Wellness Policy
Smart Snacks in Schools
Tools & Resources
SOPs

Procurement

Procurement is one of the most complex processes within food service departments. In the event of shifting a program from using processed, ready-to-heat foods to scratch cooked recipes, many processes change.

Visit Overview
Getting Started
The K-12 Food System
Values-Aligned Procurement
Examples of Values-Aligned Procurement
Tools & Resources

Marketing

Marketing in food service ranges from finding local sponsors, to creating a brand and promotional materials, to engaging students in cooking and menu design.

Visit Overview
Branding Your Program
District Communications
Social Media Toolkit
Partnerships
Posters & Signs

Lunchroom Education

Lunchroom education activities engage students with food-focused learning opportunities. Explore the wide world of fun food programs!

Visit Overview
Tastings
Rainbow Days
Art Contests
Chef Demonstrations
Junior Chef Competitions
Farm to School
Volunteers & Interns

Fresh Food Initiatives

This section is dedicated to the “Big Ideas” - areas we think make a huge impact and will play a large role in the future of school food.

Visit Overview
Salad Bars
Best Practices
Assessment & Planning
Recipes & Layouts
Training & Operations
Tools & Resources
School Breakfast
Getting Started
Operations
Menu Development
Marketing
Tools & Resources
Sustainable Lunchrooms
Plant Forward
Plant Forward Recipes
Case Study
Waste Reduction
Tools & Resources

Apply for a Grant or Program

Our grants and programs help schools serve students fresher, healthier, and tastier meals.

Visit Overview
Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
Healthy School Food Pathway
Values-Aligned Purchasing Collectives
Starting From Scratch
Bulk Milk
Application Portal
Grant Writing & Management
Scroll to:
Scroll to:

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in The Lunch Box. Contact us with questions or suggestions by filling out the form below. You can also stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Chef Ann Foundation

PMB STE CO3 
1495 CANYON BLVD, STE MAIN
BOULDER, CO 80302 - 5368
720.500.2112
info@chefannfoundation.org
 

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in The Lunch Box. Contact us with questions or suggestions by filling out the form below. You can also stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Chef Ann Foundation

PMB STE CO3 
1495 CANYON BLVD, STE MAIN
BOULDER, CO 80302 - 5368
720.500.2112
info@chefannfoundation.org
 

Questions? Drop Us a Line

Please enter the missing fields.

Thank you for submitting this form.

Someone will be in touch with you shortly.

Sorry, an error occurred.

Let’s (re)do lunch!

Get updates about how we can make school food healthier for kids and the planet.

One More Question...

What’s your school district? Get close-to-home school food news and action alerts that let you make a difference in your community.

Thanks for Subscribing!

We're so glad to have you at the table. Check your inbox (and spam folder) to confirm your email, and we'll start sending good things your way!

Sorry!

There was an error, please try again.

About

Newsletters Contact Us Our History

Privacy Policy | © 2026 Chef Ann Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.