Whole Kids Foundation to Provide 153 New Salad Bars to Schools Across the US

Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children’s nutrition and wellness, announced 153 new salads will be provided to schools in the US this year. The $502,153 investment will ensure more than 76,000 students will have access to fresh, healthy produce at school.

With this year’s investment in Salad Bar grants and in partnership with Salad Bars to Schools, Whole Kids Foundation will have provided 5,794 school salad bars since 2011. Salad Bars to Schools is a public-private partnership founded by Whole Foods Market, Chef Ann Foundation National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance and United Fresh Start Foundation. Collectively, more than $15.8 million has been invested across all 50 states providing more than 2.9 million children with daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Salad bars at schools are a proven way to encourage kids to eat more fresh vegetables and are a successful strategy to promote healthy eating for students, according to research by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Also, the CDC believes eating nutritious food is linked to students’ academic success, specifically higher grades and standardized test scores, reduced absenteeism and improved cognitive performance. More schools are incorporating salad bars into their school lunch programs.

“Salad bars are so effective because they provide students with choice. Kids choose healthy items and eat what they choose,” said Kim Herrington, Director of Programs and Finance for Whole Kids Foundation. “By providing these salad bars to school districts, we are creating that access and choice and are developing a relationship for kids to make healthier choices and eat healthier for life.”

In addition to the salad bar equipment, each school is awarded a grant and also receives training tools provided by thelunchbox.org, which includes food safety training, knife skills training and fully tested, nutritionally analyzed and scalable recipes.

Whole Kids Foundation accepts salad bar grant applications year-round from school districts and are submitted by district food service staff. A parent advocate toolkit is available for parents interested in encouraging their school districts to apply for a salad bar grant.