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Starting with a pilot program serving over 500 students in three schools,Revolution Foods is setting itself apart from other school meal providers asthe first to offer fresh and healthy meals on a daily basis. Revolution Foods'meals are made with local, organic ingredients whenever possible, somethingother suppliers do not do. Within the next year, Revolution Foods hopes toserve healthy, fresh meals to over 10,000 students in public and privateschools throughout Los Angeles County. With over 400 schools supportingthree-quarters of a million students, Los Angeles Unified School District(LAUSD) is the second largest district in the U.S.(i)
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"We believe that all children deserve healthy, fresh food every day. Ourgoal is to serve as many students as we possibly can. Because Los Angeles issuch a densely populated area with many public school students needing healthyfood options, we believe we can make a positive difference here for kids, bothacademically and nutritionally," says Kirsten Tobey, founder and chiefoperating officer of Revolution Foods.
Since it started serving healthy lunch, breakfast, and snacks everyday aswell as incorporating practical nutrition tips into daily school life,Revolution Foods' school partners have shared anecdotes of improvements indiscipline both in class and on the playground, as well as increased levels ofalertness in class, and weight loss among their student body. These trends arepromising given rising rates of obesity in US K-12 youth. The prevalence ofvending machines and other unregulated snacks in schools makes it challengingfor kids to be healthy and perform well academically. Studies show thatchildren under 18 are eating less than half the recommended amount of fruitand vegetable servings they should eat every day.(ii) Revolution Foodsaddresses this issue directly by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetablesinto every meal served.
"A well-balanced diet can be challenging for kids. We believe that healthyfood choices are key drivers of wellness, education, and future productivityof our youth," says Kristin Richmond, co-founder and chief executive officer.
Nutrition has been shown to link directly to academic achievement. Whethera child is undernourished or eats foods high in sugar, sodium and fat, the lowenergy and lack of focus that come as a result have an impact on a child'sability to perform well in school.(iii)
With two gourmet chefs and a registered dietitian on staff, RevolutionFoods offers a whole new approach to school meal service. The company provideseducational tools to schools and parents, teaching them about healthy foodoptions, nutritional information and at-home cooking tips to help maintainchild health. In less than two years, Revolution Foods grew from serving threeschools to over 40 across the state, about half of which are low-income.
The company also offers a line of organic branded products through itspartnership with Whole Foods, including peanut butter, cereal and applesauce.The products are currently available in Whole Foods stores.
ABOUT REVOLUTION FOODS
Founded in 2006, Revolution Foods is starting a revolution to provide K-12schoolchildren with fresh and healthy meals every single day. All mealsincorporate organic and local ingredients wherever possible. The company alsoprovides educational tools informing children and their families aboutnutrition and fresh food products to improve child health and well-being.Through a unique partnership with Whole Foods, the company offers a line oforganic branded products available in Whole Foods stores. Learn more at:http://www.revolutionfoods.com
