School Food Institute

School Food Institute (SFI) is a set of online courses that provide professional development and comprehensive training on the key components of successful scratch-cook operations in schools.

See how our signature program ties into our Theory of Change here.

Visit the Website

School Food Institute

School Food Institute (SFI) is a set of online courses that provide professional development and comprehensive training on the key components of successful scratch-cook operations in schools.

See how our signature program ties into our Theory of Change here.

Visit the Website

31 million children eat school lunch every day and for many students, the school meal is the most nutritious of the day. Yet too many students are served highly processed and high-calorie meals in school. There is a growing need for professional development and training opportunities focused on scratch cooked meals made with whole ingredients.

Through SFI courses, food service professionals can participate in a dynamic online professional development experience with community discussion boards, interactive homework assignments, and office hours with the instructor, Chef Ann Cooper.

31 million children eat school lunch every day and for many students, the school meal is the most nutritious of the day. Yet too many students are served highly processed and high-calorie meals in school. There is a growing need for professional development and training opportunities focused on scratch cooked meals made with whole ingredients.

Through SFI courses, food service professionals can participate in a dynamic online professional development experience with community discussion boards, interactive homework assignments, and office hours with the instructor, Chef Ann Cooper.

SFI offers:

Training for school food service professionals on the best practices for scratch-cook operations
In-depth professional development focused on scratch cooking that satisfies USDA annual training requirements for school food service professionals
Practical knowledge for parents, administrators and school nutrition advocates about school food operations, history, regulations, policy, and funding that will enable them to be informed advocates for healthier school food

Our Impact

See CAF's Impact

1,744

course seat enrollments

95%

of students feel they can identify and implement fresh and healthy changes in their food service program

Our Impact

See CAF's Impact

1,744

course seat enrollments

95%

of students feel they can identify and implement fresh and healthy changes in their food service program

The School Food Institute courses have been the backbone to our work as a Foundation to support schools who are transitioning from heat and serve to healthy, freshly prepared school meals.

SFI Student

Program Targeted Outcomes

1

Increase knowledge surrounding scratch cooking

2

Increase participants ability to apply operational knowledge

3

Support districts’ implementation of changes to support scratch cooking

Program Details

Taught by Chef Ann Cooper - internationally recognized author, chef, educator, public speaker, and advocate of healthy food for all children - the School Food Institute offers a series of video-based online courses covering key operational areas of school food.

SFI courses include:

Engaging lectures that let you learn at your own pace
Real-world assignments and learning activities
Guest lectures from topic experts in school food
Supplemental resources for more exploration
Office hours with Chef Ann
Optional Certificate Program

Course Offerings

School Food 101

Our most popular course and a perfect introduction to school food. Learn about school food history, regulations, policy, and funding. Beneficial for new school food professionals, food organizations and nonprofits, healthy food advocates, and anyone looking to learn more about healthier food in schools.