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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Our Mission
Why Cooking in Schools Matters
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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.

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

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
Resource Library

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

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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Valerie Chesnik

she/her

Director of Major Gifts

Valerie joins the Chef Ann Foundation team after a decade in educational philanthropy from K-12 through university. In her role as Director of Major Gifts, she focuses on building and strengthening partnerships with donors to have the highest level of impact and continue the excellence of the Chef Ann Foundation into the future.

Valerie Chesnik

she/her

Director of Major Gifts

Valerie joins the Chef Ann Foundation team after a decade in educational philanthropy from K-12 through university. In her role as Director of Major Gifts, she focuses on building and strengthening partnerships with donors to have the highest level of impact and continue the excellence of the Chef Ann Foundation into the future.

Prior to joining the Chef Ann Foundation, Valerie worked for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association and the Madison Public Schools Foundation. Throughout her career, she has been guided by the belief that donors can have an impact at any level. In addition, Valerie has seen firsthand the need for students to be properly nourished before they are able to learn.

Valerie resides in Wisconsin with her husband, son, and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, swimming, baking, and traveling as often as she can.

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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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