Children’s Food Trust
Protecting American Children from Harmful Food Additives and Nutritional Decline
We are a U.S. nonprofit working to raise school meal standards, support parents and local schools, and restore food literacy in public education. Our policy advocacy is rooted in common-sense nutrition, traditional life skills, and the belief that every child should learn to cook real food.Inspired by the former UK Children’s Food Trust, our work builds on international best practices while focusing on solutions for American schools and communities.
Our Mission
Every Child Deserves Real Food and a Real Future.At Children’s Food Trust, we believe every child is created with dignity and deserves to grow up nourished, not harmed, by the institutions entrusted with their care.Our mission is simple but urgent:
To reduce children’s exposure to harmful ultra-processed foods, strengthen school meal standards, and support policies that protect children’s health while empowering families and local schools to lead.We welcome all who share this vision across faiths, political lines, and school systems to stand with us in protecting next generation from harm.
Press & Media
We’re honored that our work on ultra-processed food has been featured by national media outlets and leading medical organizations including the American Heart Association, Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. This recognition reflects a shared commitment: protecting the health and future of America’s children. For interviews, data requests, or to cover our work, please contact us at: [email protected]
What We Do
We research and advocate for practical, research-backed policies that help U.S. schools serve better food and equip the next generation with lifelong cooking skills for health and independence - drawing inspiration from international models while staying grounded in American values.
Bridging US–UK Gaps in School Nutrition Standards
We support common-sense limits on ultra-processed ingredients in school meals - especially additives already banned in the UK and EU - so that American children are served food that protects their long-term health and honors parent trust.
Restoring Practical Food Education
We believe every child should learn the basics of cooking and nutrition as part of their education. We partner with schools and communities to support hands-on cooking workshops that promote self-reliance, health, and family traditions through real food.
Why Processing Food Policy Matters
Ultra-processed foods make up over 60% of U.S. children’s daily calories.
Linked to disease: These products are associated with childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and declining mental health - placing long term burdens on families and the healthcare system.
Widespread in school meals: Across the country, ultra-processed foods are still the norm in school cafeterias.
Policy can protect: Setting reasonable limits on food processing in school meals would help schools prioritize real food, protect children’s health, and restore parental trust in the systems that serve their kids.
Our Research on Ultraprocessed Foods in the U.S.
| Research Presentation | Conference |
|---|---|
| Proposing a new ‘gateway food model’ for adolescent eating behavior and its implications for modifiable hypertension risk factors. | American Heart Association Hypertension Conference |
| An investigation of the associations between COVID-19, adolescent obesity, and ultra-processed food intake. | American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference |
| The Impact Of Covid-19 On Obesity And Ultra-processed Food Intake In Adolescents And Young Adults. | Endocrine Society National Conference |
| Proposing A New ‘Gateway Food Model’ For Adolescent Eating Behavior And Its Implications For Modifiable Hypertension Risk Factors. | American Heart Association Scientific Sessions |
Our Research on Ultraprocessed Foods in the U.K. and E.U.
| Research Presentation | Conference |
|---|---|
| Examining the demand factors for ultra-processed foods consumption in adolescents and its implications for a sustainable future in nutrition, food, and health. | Nutrition Society Summer Conference |
| Examining the association between pediatric binge eating disorder and high ultra-processed foods consumption. | European Academy of Pediatrics |
| Examining Sedentary and Activity Status Predictors in Adolescents and Their Implications for Diabetes Prevention. | European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology |
| Examining Smartphone Use During Mealtime and Its Association With Eating Disorders Among Adolescents. | Society for Endocrinology Conference |
Global Inspiration
Children’s Food Trust is inspired by, but not affiliated with, the former UK Children’s Food Trust that achieved significant school reform between 2005-2017. In the United Kingdom, their work helped shift national conversations around school meals by raising nutrition standards, banning harmful additives, and bringing cooking skills back into classrooms.We honor that legacy while building something uniquely American. Our approach is rooted in U.S. values - family, local leadership, and practical, research-based reform - to improve children’s health starting with what they’re served at school.
Our Policy Priorities
We advocate for clear, actionable reforms that improve school food environments and empower the next generation while respecting the role of families and local schools in decision-making. Our priorities include:
• Ban Harmful Additives in School Meals: Prohibit the use of food additives already banned in the UK and EU - including titanium dioxide, BHT, and artificial dyes - in federally funded school meals. American children deserve the same protections, especially in institutions funded by taxpayer dollars.
• Restore Food and Nutrition Education: Bring back practical food literacy in public schools - including cooking basics, ingredient awareness, and nutrition - so students grow up with the tools to care for themselves and their future families.
• Strengthen Ingredient Transparency: Ensure clear labeling of additives and food processing levels in school meals, so that parents, teachers, and local districts can make informed choices about what’s being served to children.
From Our Founder
Dear Friends and Supporters,Thank you for caring about children’s health - and for believing, as I do, that every child deserves real food and the basic life skills to prepare it.The Children’s Food Trust exists to protect that right. Today, ultra-processed foods dominate school meals and children’s plates. We’re working to change that through policy advocacy, research, and partnerships with families, schools, and communities who are ready to lead.This work isn’t easy - but it’s essential. Because when we feed children better, we raise stronger families, healthier communities, and a more hopeful future.I invite you to be part of this mission - whether by sharing your voice, bringing these ideas to your local school board, or simply helping the children in your life learn to cook.We’re building something rooted in service, stewardship, and common sense - and I’m grateful to walk this road with you.With gratitude,
Maria
Founder, Children’s Food Trust
📩 [email protected]
Let’s Set a Better Table
For All Our Children
📩 General Inquiries - [email protected]
📊 Research Requests - [email protected]
📰 Media Inquiries - [email protected]
🤝 Partnerships - [email protected]
🙌 Volunteer - [email protected]Mailing Address
Children’s Food Trust
3820 Locust Walk, RM 097771
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6134
United States