On this episode of the Next Up podcast, Marlon met with Dr. Katie Wilson, the Executive Director of the Urban School Food Alliance, where they discussed the growth and impact of the organization in transforming school meals. The Alliance, consisting of the largest school districts in the country, uses its collective buying power to disrupt the marketplace and improve the quality of school meals. The directors of the Alliance have extensive experience and street cred in the food service industry. The Alliance provides support, resources, and education to school districts of all sizes, with a focus on procurement and innovation.
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Website: https://urbanschoolfoodalliance.org/
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:32 Introduction and Growth of Urban School Food Alliance
01:35 Mission and Initiatives of Urban School Food Alliance
03:37 Collective Buying Power and Impact of Urban School Food Alliance
04:42 Importance and Challenges of School Nutrition Programs
06:22 Expertise and Street Cred of Urban School Food Alliance Directors
07:50 Evolution and Growth of Urban School Food Alliance
09:42 Hiring of Executive Director and Vision for the Future
11:38 Importance of Membership and Benefits of Urban School Food Alliance
13:51 Collaboration with USDA and Advocacy for School Nutrition Programs
14:41 Disrupting the Marketplace and Innovations in School Meals
16:36 Importance of Being a Good Customer and Buying Power of School Districts
18:29 Challenges and Differences in Procurement for K-12 and Colleges/Universities
19:26 Costs and Management Challenges in School Nutrition Programs
21:23 Educational Resources and Support for School Districts
22:21 Team Up Program and Peer-to-Peer Management Education
24:46 Collaboration and Competition among Urban School Food Alliance Members
27:37 Innovation Award and Recognition of Members' Achievements
30:58 Dedicated and Skilled Staff of Urban School Food Alliance
37:51Donations and Support for Urban School Food Alliance
41:00 Closing Remarks
