Whole Foods, Chef Ann Cooper’s school lunch revolutionary

WASHINGTON, D.C. Whole Foods and Chef Ann Cooper are working to help transform lunch in schools across the country by kicking off the "School Lunch Revolution" awareness tour in Washington, D.C.

Cooper and Whole Foods co-president and COO Walter Robb will speak about the "School Lunch Revolution" program, asking community members to get involved and government officials to consider more rigorous nutrition guidelines as they prepare to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act.

Robb and Cooper begin Sept. 10 with a press conference and community discussion at 10:30 a.m. at the Tenley Whole Foods store at 4530 40th St. N.W. Afterward, they will meet with USDA officials to discuss the National School Lunch Program by calling attention to dietary guidelines, increased focus on whole foods with fewer artificial ingredients and a greater emphasis on local food.

Cooper will underscore the need to dedicate an additional $1 per day per child to the School Lunch Program and advocate for universal breakfast and lunch provided to all students, which would allow schools to have more time to focus on better nutrition and meal preparation as it would eliminate administrative and accounting burdens.

 “My ultimate goal is to educate and inspire schools, parents and students to take bold steps to improve the quality of education by making better food choices," said Cooper

After Washington, D.C., the School Lunch Revolution awareness tour will continue to Bethesda, Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago and Houston.