Center for Food & Justice
Newsletter
The Healthy School Food Coalition's latest newsletter is now available. Download here:
English Version
Spanish Version
Past Issues
Winter 2008
English Version
Spanish Version
What's New
Check out what's happening in school districts across the country, including LAUSD, in the newly updated: Healthy School Food Policies: A Checklist
Affiliated Programs
Healthy School Food Coalition
CFJ has also developed a campaign to organize parents and other community members in a coalition to advocate for healthy food in Los Angeles schools. The group, the Healthy School Food Coaltion, has helped shape and is now monitoring a district process to create a healthy food and nutrition policy. Learn more.
LAUSD Programs
LAUSD School Gardens
In July 2001, CFJ published a report on the barriers and opportunities for establishing a garden in every school in the Los Angeles school district. The development of school gardens have also been a core component of the overall farm to school approach.
Banning Soda and Junk Food
On August 27, 2002, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board unanimously voted to ban soft drinks in all LAUSD schools, beginning January 2004. The soda resolution came about as a result of a number of factors, including community, teacher, and parent input, an organizing campaign launched by a coalition of healthy food and community food advocates, strong advocacy by LAUSD board members, LAUSD staff support, and the growing public recognition that the constant availability and consumption of high sugar and highly caffeinated soft drinks can contribute to significant adverse health and learning impacts. Challenging the Soda Companies: The Los Angeles Unified School District Soda Ban provides a summary of the events that preceded and led to the passage of the LAUSD soda resolution and its implications for future action.
On December 13th, another important victory was won with the adoption of the Cafeteria Improvement Motion by LAUSD. View the PowerPoint presentation given on December 8th to the LAUSD health and safety committee.
Related documents:
LAUSD School Board Healthy Beverage Resolution
LAUSD Obesity Prevention Motion
LAUSD Cafeteria Improvement Motion (Español)
Report on the LAUSD Cafeteria Customer Service Surveys (Español)
A Short Organizing Guide to Banning Sodas in Your School
Healthy School Food Policies: A Checklist *Updated 6/05* Learn about soda and junk food bans across the country.
Concerned that schools will lose money that funds important programs if soda is banned? Check out the following school fund raiser ideas:
- Twenty ways to raise funds without candy from the Illinois Nutrition Education & Training program
- Creative Financing & Fun Fundraising: Alternatives to selling candy for schools, sports and clubs from California Project LEAN.
- Alternative Fundraising
Ideas submitted by Terri Davis- Lead Cook-Hickman
Charter District-Hickman Ca.
CSA in the Classroom: Fresh From the Farm Program
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the Classroom, aka "Fresh From the Farm" was a three-year pilot program in partnership with the LAUSD Nutrition Network and Tierra Miguel Foundation Farm that brough fresh organic fruits and vegetables to hundreds of Los Angeles Unified School District classrooms for nutrition education purposes.
- Read the report on the 2nd year of the program.
- Watch the Nutrition Network video highlighting the program.