Overview

What is Salad Bars to Schools?

Salad Bars to Schools (SB2S) is a granting program that provides schools and districts with salad bar equipment and support, such as Cambro bars, camchillers, and technical assistance.

Salad Bars to Schools launched in 2010 with the mission of donating salad bars to U.S. schools so that every child has daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables. This healthy school lunch initiative was founded by Chef Ann Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, United Fresh Start Foundation, and Whole Foods Market (now represented by Whole Kids Foundation), all in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative.

Program Goals

• Provide planning, implementation, and educational resources for salad bars (find these resources in the Salad Bars section of The Lunch Box)
• Enable schools to offer students a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables through the use of salad bar equipment

What to Consider

Before applying for a salad bar, assess your meal program:

• Where will you place the salad bar? We suggest placing your salad bar before the point of sale (POS) and in a central location that students will see immediately. Make the salad bar more visible than less healthy options like a la carte.
• What are the skill sets of your staff? Will you need to provide additional training?
• Is your staff excited to implement a salad bar? Consider using team training or professional development opportunities to engage your staff in this change.
• How will you need to alter procurement to stock the salad bar?

Check out the resources below for suggestions while you consider these implementation factors.

Eligibility

Program Requirements

• Any district or independent school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is eligible to apply for a salad bar grant.
• Schools/districts must offer the salad bar as part of the reimbursable meal and have an enrollment of at least 100 students.
• Applications must be submitted by the Director of Food Services for a district or independent school.

Process

Once a district’s application is approved, they are placed on a waitlist to receive their salad bar(s). Districts will be kept on the waitlist until the salad bar(s) is funded. Once funded, districts will be notified via email.

We try to move districts and schools through the waitlist as quickly as possible; however, please note that it can take up to 12-14 months for a salad bar to be funded. A district/school does not need to fundraise on their own, but some do choose to do so as it can help expedite the process. For questions regarding salad bars, please contact saladbargrant@chefannfoundation.org.