NYCHSF is a statewide nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of New York's students by advocating for healthy plant-based foods, including local and organic where possible, farm to school programs, school gardens, the elimination of unhealthy foods and education to create food- and health-literate students.

NYCHSF in partnership with the New York City Department of Education Office of SchoolFood, introduced Project Cool School Food (PCSF) in 2008 to develop and implement healthy plant-based entrées into the National School Lunch Program in New York City schools and to promote cost-effective and replicable nutrition education in schools throughout the state. Since the fall of 2010, NYCHSF has also enjoyed a partnership with the Ithaca City School District in upstate New York. Now in its second year, Cool School Food: Ithaca, is a Farm-to-School program that uses local organic beans with extensive taste-testing in all nine elementary schools, with recipes also served in two middle schools.

In New York City, PCSF was recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, at the inaugural 2011 Action Learning Collaborative meeting in Chicago as one of three promising practices. PCSF educates entire school communities - students, administrators, teachers, and kitchen staff - about the importance of healthy eating for health and environmental reasons.

PCSF, in collaboration with the New York City Office of SchoolFood, produces appealing and delicious, high-nutrient, plant-based and kid-friendly main dish recipes that the kitchen staff makes and serves in each school – at this point – twice per week. The eventual goal is to have a healthy, plant-based entrée on the menu every day at every school. With NYCHSF’s assistance, the New York City Office of SchoolFood has been able to increase the nutritional content of meals with no additional burden on limited school food budgets, and recipes are designed for replication in other schools.

PCSF is currently in 17 New York City schools with 48 additional schools on the New York City waiting list.

Please see NYCHSF's web site at www.healthyschoolfood.org.