The Chef Ann Foundation promotes whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. This approach enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

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We’re dedicated to empowering schools nationwide with the tools, training, resources, and funding they need to serve meals. Browse through programs to learn more about our work and apply for a grant.

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Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
School Food Institute
The Lunch Box
Bulk Milk
Research & Evaluation
Healthy School Food Pathway
California Pre-Apprenticeship
Colorado Pre-Apprenticeship
New York Pre-Apprenticeship
Virginia Pre-Apprenticeship
National Fellowship
Specialized Programming
Policy & Advocacy

Since 2009, the Chef Ann Foundation has worked with schools to implement healthy school meal programs. Dive into the organization’s history and learn about our impact on school food reform over the years.

Visit Overview
Our Impact
Our History
Success Stories

Want to learn how you can create school food change? Our toolkit lays out how to approach your district and advocate for healthier food in your child’s school.

Visit Overview
Step 1: Get Educated
Step 2: Get Organized
Step 3: Get Support
Step 4: Take Action
Tools for Home

Learn more about school food with resources and press materials.

Visit Overview
Why Cooking in Schools Matters
Press Room
Press Releases
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Everyone has a role to play in transforming school food. Your gift fuels this movement, helping ensure every child has access to healthy, nourishing meals at school. Join us in changing the way we feed our students.

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WHO WE ARE

The Chef Ann Foundation promotes whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. This approach enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

Visit Overview
Our Mission
Why Cooking in Schools Matters
Founder Chef Ann
Our Team
Board of Directors
Financials & Annual Reports
Employment

WHAT WE DO

We’re dedicated to empowering schools nationwide with the tools, training, resources, and funding they need to serve meals. Browse through programs to learn more about our work and apply for a grant.

Visit Overview
Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
School Food Institute
The Lunch Box
Bulk Milk
Research & Evaluation
Healthy School Food Pathway
California Pre-Apprenticeship
Colorado Pre-Apprenticeship
New York Pre-Apprenticeship
Virginia Pre-Apprenticeship
National Fellowship
Specialized Programming
Policy & Advocacy

WHAT WE’VE DONE

Since 2009, the Chef Ann Foundation has worked with schools to implement healthy school meal programs. Dive into the organization’s history and learn about our impact on school food reform over the years.

Visit Overview
Our Impact
Our History
Success Stories

PARENT ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

Want to learn how you can create school food change? Our toolkit lays out how to approach your district and advocate for healthier food in your child’s school.

Visit Overview
Step 1: Get Educated
Step 2: Get Organized
Step 3: Get Support
Step 4: Take Action
Tools for Home

KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Learn more about school food with resources and press materials.

Visit Overview
Why Cooking in Schools Matters
Press Room
Press Releases
Resource Library

SUPPORT US

Everyone has a role to play in transforming school food. Your gift fuels this movement, helping ensure every child has access to healthy, nourishing meals at school. Join us in changing the way we feed our students.

Visit Overview
Donate
Ways to Give
Our Funders
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Sharon Mendoza 

she/her/ella

Bilingual Program Coordinator of CA Pre-Apprenticeship

Sharon joined the Chef Ann Foundation team in February 2026 and serves as the Bilingual Program Coordinator of the California Pre-Apprenticeship Program. In this role, she supports pre-apprentice applicants and participants in workforce development for job opportunities in healthy, scratch-cook school food programs.

Sharon Mendoza 

she/her/ella

Bilingual Program Coordinator of CA Pre-Apprenticeship

Sharon joined the Chef Ann Foundation team in February 2026 and serves as the Bilingual Program Coordinator of the California Pre-Apprenticeship Program. In this role, she supports pre-apprentice applicants and participants in workforce development for job opportunities in healthy, scratch-cook school food programs.

Sharon completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at UC Berkeley and has pursued a career dedicated to supporting community-based programs that help improve access to vital resources, including public health, nutrition, and legal services for diverse communities.

Outside of work, she enjoys hosting dinner parties for friends and family, being in nature, and visiting the local farmers’ market on weekends.

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Who We Are

The Chef Ann Foundation is dedicated to promoting whole-ingredient, scratch-cooking in schools. Scratch-cooking enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

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Our Mission

Ensure that school food professionals have the resources, funding and support they need to provide fresh, healthy, delicious, cook from scratch meals that support the health of children and our planet.

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Why School Food Matters

American kids start their life-path in K–12 schools where they learn the skills necessary to thrive & meet their potential. While the country debates the best ways to teach them math, science & English, we spend little to no time on food & nutrition.

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