A Community Conversation about School Lunch
Exploring how fresh school meals support healthier students.
[Liberty, N.Y.] Sullivan 180 invites the community to join nationally recognized chef and school food advocate Chef Ann Cooper for An Evening with Chef Ann Cooper: A Conversation with the Renegade Lunch Lady on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Michael Ritchie Big Barn at The Center for Discovery.
As the opening event in the Sullivan 180 Speaker Series, the evening will highlight the important role that fresh, scratch made school meals can play in improving children's health, supporting academic achievement, and strengthening connections among schools, families, and local farms.
For more than two decades, Chef Ann Cooper has inspired schools across the country to rethink what is possible in school nutrition. Through her leadership and advocacy, she has helped communities embrace fresh, nutritious meals made with real ingredients that support student health and long term success.
"Chef Ann's message aligns with Sullivan 180's commitment to prevention and empowering a healthier generation," said Meghan Stalter, Special Projects Manager at Sullivan 180. "We are excited to bring this important conversation to educators, parents, community members, and anyone who believes food has the power to shape healthier futures for our children."
Every school day, nearly 30 million children across the United States eat school meals, including nearly 10,000 students in Sullivan County. When schools invest in healthy meals prepared from scratch with wholesome ingredients, they create opportunities for students to feel better, learn more effectively, and establish lifelong healthy habits.
During the event, attendees will learn about successful school nutrition initiatives from across the country, and discover how communities can work together to expand access to healthy food for children.
Community members, educators, school administrators, parents, caregivers, students, health care professionals, and anyone interested in supporting healthier children are encouraged to attend.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. For additional event information and registration, visit Sullivan 180's website or follow Sullivan 180 on social media.