Chef Ann Foundation Company Profile

Background

The Chef Ann Foundation (CAF), established in 2009 by Chef Ann Cooper, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in K-12 public schools across the United States. The foundation's mission is to ensure that school food professionals have the resources, funding, and support necessary to provide fresh, healthy, delicious, cook-from-scratch meals that support the health of children and the planet. Since its inception, CAF has impacted over 14,000 schools and reached more than 3.4 million children, striving to transform school food systems to better nourish students and foster healthier communities.

Key Strategic Focus

CAF's strategic focus centers on:

Advancing Scratch Cooking in Schools: Empowering school districts to transition from serving ultra-processed, pre-packaged meals to offering fresher, healthier, and more appetizing meals prepared from scratch.

Professional Development: Providing comprehensive training and resources to school food professionals to enhance their culinary skills and operational knowledge.

Equity and Sustainability: Promoting equitable access to nutritious meals and supporting environmentally sustainable practices within school food programs.

Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local food producers, suppliers, and community organizations to strengthen the school food supply chain and support local economies.

Financials and Funding

CAF's financial growth reflects its expanding impact:

2023: Revenue of $8.75 million, expenses of $7.93 million, and net assets totaling $3.26 million.

2022: Revenue of $3.77 million, expenses of $2.86 million, and net assets of $2.44 million.

2021: Revenue of $1.39 million, expenses of $1.59 million, and net assets of $1.53 million.

The foundation's funding sources include contributions from individuals, corporate entities, public and private grants, and partnerships with organizations such as the Park Foundation, which awarded grants totaling $555,471 between 2022 and 2024 for various school food and nutrition projects.

Pipeline Development

CAF has launched several key initiatives:

Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship: A 13-month program empowering school food professionals to lead healthier and more sustainable school food programs. The 2025 cohort includes 27 leaders from 11 states.

Get Schools Cooking: A comprehensive three-year program assisting school districts in transitioning to scratch-cooked meal programs. The sixth cohort, announced in December 2024, includes six districts across five states, impacting over 96,600 students.

Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS): Launched in October 2023, this program awarded $4.8 million in grants to eight groups of local partners to strengthen community-based school food systems.

Technological Platform and Innovation

CAF leverages several platforms and methodologies to support its mission:

The Lunch Box: An online resource providing tools, recipes, and best practices for school food programs transitioning to scratch cooking.

School Food Institute: A series of online courses offering professional development and comprehensive training on key components of successful scratch-cook operations in schools.

Leadership Team

Mara Fleishman: Chief Executive Officer since 2013, leading the foundation's strategic direction and partnerships.

Ann Cooper: Founder and President, renowned chef and advocate for healthy school food reform.

Laura Smith: Chief Program Officer, overseeing the development and implementation of CAF's programs.

Leadership Changes

There have been no recent significant changes or appointments within the foundation's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The landscape of organizations dedicated to improving school nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits among children includes several key players:

James Beard Foundation: Focuses on culinary arts and education, offering scholarships and awards to culinary professionals.

American Culinary Federation (ACF): A professional organization for chefs and cooks, providing education, certification, and accreditation for culinary programs.

Competitor Analysis

James Beard Foundation: While primarily centered on culinary arts and professional development, it indirectly influences school nutrition through its educational initiatives.

American Culinary Federation: Offers accreditation and certification programs that can impact school food service by elevating the standards and skills of culinary professionals.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

CAF has established significant collaborations to enhance its impact:

USDA Cooperative Agreement: In March 2023, CAF signed a $7.8 million cooperative agreement with the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service as part of the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative. This partnership aims to build a sub-grant program to strengthen the availability and access to nutritious food products in K-12 schools.

Park Foundation: Awarded multiple grants totaling $555,471 between 2022 and 2024 to support various school food and nutrition projects.

Operational Insights

CAF's strategic considerations include:

Program Expansion: Scaling successful programs like Get Schools Cooking and the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship to reach more districts and professionals.

Resource Development: Continuously updating and expanding online resources such as The Lunch Box and School Food Institute to provide current and comprehensive support.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for policies that support scratch cooking and healthier school meals.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

CAF's strategic roadmap includes:

Scaling Impact: Expanding existing programs to reach more schools and students nationwide.

Strengthening Partnerships: Building and deepening collaborations with governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability.

Innovating Resources: Developing new tools and resources to address emerging challenges in school nutrition and support the evolving needs of school food professionals.