Now serving over 1 million students!
This is a big one.
Two years ago, we made a commitment to reaching a million students with delicious, nutritious, and responsibly sourced meals. Thanks to incredible partnerships with school districts across the country, Eat Real has officially surpassed our goal!
That’s over one million kids, in 1,700+ schools, across 20 states, getting access to more real food at school—meals that support their health, learning, and overall well-being. And we. are. thrilled!
How We Got Here
Eat Real works alongside school districts to bring delicious, nutritious, and responsibly sourced meals to students. We believe school food should help kids feel better, learn better, and show up ready to thrive.
Today, we’re proud to partner with 57 school districts nationwide, all working toward the same goal: healthier, more nourishing school meals that kids actually want to eat.
Pictured: Eat Real districts and partners celebrating school lunch at Eat Real certified district Capistrano USD
Why It Matters
“We are ecstatic to partner with school districts across the country who are prioritizing real, nourishing meals for their students,” said Nora LaTorre, CEO of Eat Real Certified. “Science-backed nutrition standards, responsible sourcing, and supporting local economies are at the heart of Eat Real’s certification program. When kids have access to healthy food at school, it supports their health, their learning, and their ability to thrive.”
Through Eat Real certification, districts commit to science-backed nutrition standards, limiting ultra-processed ingredients and prioritizing fresh, flavorful, and locally sourced foods—without sacrificing taste or joy on the lunch tray.
“For me, child education and food are really important themes in my life. Being able to combine all of this and really being able to take my [culinary] skill and expertise to help kids make better choices for themselves and their families is the most rewarding job I’ll ever have.”
—Chef Andreas Wurzrainer, Coupeville School District, WA
Pictured: High school students at Eat Real certified, Western Placer USD in line for breakfast
What’s Next
Reaching one million students is a huge milestone—but it’s not the finish line. With more than 50 school district partners and growing, Eat Real is focused on expanding our impact so that every student, in every community, has access to nutritious school meals—now and for generations to come.
Thank you to the districts, foodservice teams, advocates, and generous funders who made this possible. We couldn’t have done it without you—and we can’t wait to keep going.
Want to learn more about Eat Real and our standards?
Start Here
Pictured: Students at Eat Real certified Western Placer USD
