Big City School Systems Team Up for Eco-Friendly Food

"Compostable plates are but the first initiative on the environmental checklist of the Urban School Food Alliance, a pioneering attempt by six big-city school systems to create new markets for sustainable food and lunchroom supplies," reports Michael Wines. "The alliance members — the public school systems in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Orlando, Fla. — are betting that by combining their purchasing power, they can persuade suppliers to create and sell healthier and more environment-friendly products at prices no system could negotiate alone."

"If the alliance succeeds, it could help change nutrition and sustainability policies across the nation," he continues. "Already, other school districts are asking to join the group."