Third-Quarter Update | October 15, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of The Urban Update

I’m excited to share this quarter’s highlights as we continue our shared mission to ensure every child in America’s largest school districts has access to healthy, delicious, and fresh school meals.

Each edition of The Urban Update is organized around the three core goals of our Strategic Plan: Influence, Support, and Build. (Learn more about these goals here.)

In this issue, we’re proud to share the launch of our School Lunch is Healthcare Initiative, the release of the USFA White Paper on Alliance Accomplishments, highlights from members gathering in Alexandria, VA for collaboration, best-practice sharing, and educational sessions, the naming of Jeremy West, MS, SNS as our next Executive Director, and the seating of the 2026-2027 USFA Board of Directors at the Fall Membership Meeting.

We invite you to explore these updates, resources, and more—see how our collective efforts are driving meaningful progress in school nutrition.

Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to nourishing our students and strengthening school foodservice systems. We are especially grateful to those who generously support this work through donations and strategic partnerships, and we invite you to continue investing in the Alliance so we can expand our impact together.

Onward,

Dr. Katie Wilson | Executive Director | Learn More

The Alliance Giving Guide:

Case for Support - A Prospectus for Collective Impact and Sustainable Change

Join the Cause!

Are you interested in learning more about The Alliance and how you can join the cause? Our newly developed Giving Guide has all the answers you need (even the ones you didn't know you had) - it will walk you through the giving opportunities and ways you can meet specific needs in and through The Alliance.

View the Case for Support

USFA Launches New Initiative:

Press Release:

The program formally elevates school meals from food service to a recognized pillar of preventive healthcare, bringing the power of nutrition and wellness into the broader healthcare conversation for the nation’s children.

Read the Press Release

Educational Mini-Series:

In September filming was completed on the six-part series for our new School Lunch is Healthcare initiative with Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, USFA Medical Advisor. The educational video series is due to release in late fall/early winter.

Dr. Wilson - The Newest Newmanitarian®

"Dr. Katie Wilson has spent 40 years fighting for school nutrition, stronger food systems, and better outcomes for children nationwide. As Katie prepares to retire from an extraordinary career, we’re proud to recognize her as our September Newmanitarian® of the Month!"

Congratulations, Katie, on this incredible honor! It is well deserved!

Read the Featured Story on Dr. Wilson

New Release:

USFA White Paper on Alliance Accomplishments

Driving solutions for America’s largest school nutrition programs since 2012

This new 2-page resource is available for sharing with school leadership, foundations or giving organizations for potential funding, and any interested parties to learn more about the accomplishments of The Alliance.

Click Here to View or Download

Members Gather in Alexandria, VA for Collaboration, Best Practice Sharing, and Educational Sessions

Check out the short video above to get a look behind the scenes of the site visit to Fairfax County Public Schools.

Find Even More Resources on Our Website Here

USFA Board names next Executive Director:

Jeremy West, MS, SNS

We are pleased to announce that after a nationwide search, Jeremy West, MS, SNS has been selected as the next Executive Director for The Alliance effective January 2027.

Jeremy has served USFA as the Chief of Operations for the past six years and brings 20 years of experience in child nutrition having served in school nutrition leadership roles in three districts in Colorado.

Read the Press Release

2026-2027 USFA Board of Directors Seated

at Fall Membership Meeting

USFA board, from left to right: Manish Singh, Chairperson; Dr. Lois Carpenter, Director at Large; Ken Yant, Director; Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Director at Large; Jeremy West, Chief of Finance and Operations (Ex-officio); Melissa DeAngelo, Secretary; Ryan Mikolaycik, Director; Alicia Pitrone Hauser, Director; Mallory Reeves, Vice Chairperson; Elizabeth Keegan, Treasurer; Julie Fletcher, Director at Large; Not Pictured, Eva Yablonsky Smith, Director

Learn More About The Board

Watch this video to learn more about The Alliance and the three big goals (Influence, Support, and Build) in the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.

If you would like to support The Alliance, its members, and their nation-wide initiatives, we invite you to click below.

Join our Support Team

Platinum Transparency Seal

For the second year, The Urban School Food Alliance has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid!

Candid is a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector. The Platinum Seal is the highest level a nonprofit can earn.

View the USFA Nonprofit Profile with Candid Here.