New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NYCHSF MISSION IS TO INTRODUCE PLANT-BASED FOODS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ABOUT THE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES OF OUR FOOD CHOICES.
- Income
- $440,629
- Spending
- $368,916
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 12.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $94,987, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $223,904 spent. SCHOOL PROGRAM EXPENSES FOOD SERVICEIN 2024, WE CONTINUED OUR FORMAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW YORK CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES (OFNS). WE PARTICIPATED IN QUARTERLY MEETINGS AND CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THEM TO PROMOTE PLANT-BASED ENTREES. WE PROVIDED CONTINUING EDUCATION TO ABOUT 350 OF THEIR MANAGEMENT TEAM, WITH KATHY POLLARD, MS, PRESENTING ON OUR BEHALF IN SEPTEMBER. WE ALSO BEGAN AN OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ABOUT 15,000 SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DIRECTORS NATIONWIDE, IN 46 STATES. THIS INCLUDED AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER AND MONTHLY WEBINARS. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSCOOL SCHOOL FOOD IN THE CLASSROOMCOOL SCHOOL FOOD IN THE CLASSROOM IS A CURRICULUM THAT WE DEVELOPED TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE SPECIFIC PLANT-BASED RECIPES BEING SERVED ON THE NYC SCHOOLS LUNCH MENU. THE LESSONS ARE ALWAYS TAUGHT IN THE MORNING AND THEY ARE IMPACTFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE TAUGHT ON THE DAYS THAT THE DISH IS BEING SERVED AT LUNCH. IN 2024, WE DELIVERED LESSONS FROM THIS CURRICULUM AT PS 244 IN QUEENS TO THREE CLASSES OF THIRD GRADERS. THE RECIPE WE FEATURED WAS CHICKPEA SHAWARMA, A DISH INSPIRED BY THE CULTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST. WE DID A SLIDE-SHOW PRESENTATION FEATURING IMAGES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST INCLUDING ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, TRANSPORTATION, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, FOOD, ANIMALS, AND MORE. THEN THE STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS IN THE RECIPE WITH A HANDS-ON SENSORY EXPERIENCE OF SEEING, TOUCHING, AND SMELLING THE INGREDIENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY SMELL THE SPICES, PUT THEIR HANDS IN A GIANT BOWL OF DRY CHICKPEAS AND PLAY WITH THE BEANS (WHICH THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE DOING), AND PASS AROUND THE VEGETABLES. OUR TEACHERS, THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS, AND OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE A "CHEAT SHEET" OF QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT EACH INGREDIENT, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH VEGETABLE IS THE PEPPER OR WHAT FOOD GROUP THE CHICKPEAS BELONG TO (LEGUMES). THE STUDENTS THEN HAD A SAMPLE OF THE DISH THAT THE CAFETERIA PREPARED EXTRA OF, AND WE ASK HOW MANY LIKED IT, HOW MANY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST OKAY, AND HOW MANY DID NOT CARE FOR IT. WE ALSO REMIND STUDENTS THAT SOMETIMES IT TAKES MANY TRIES TO SEE IF WE LIKE SOMETHING OR NOT, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY IT AGAIN IF IT WAS NOT THEIR FAVORITE. THEN WE LEAD AN INQUIRY-BASED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POWER OF PLANTS. FOOD UNEARTHED: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD FOOD UNEARTHED: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD IS A CURRICULUM THAT WE DEVELOPED FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN CONSISTING OF 24 LESSONS PER YEAR FOR PRE-K, KINDERGARTEN, 1ST, AND 2ND GRADES. EACH GRADE LEVEL HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE SET OF LESSONS WITH A THEME, AND EACH WEEK INCLUDES A HEALTHY PLANT-BASED SNACK. FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE OF 2024, WE TAUGHT A SERIES OF FIVE FOOD UNEARTHED: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD LESSONS TO 188 PRE-K STUDENTS AT THREE UPTOWN NYC DISTRICT 2 PREK SITES. THE PARENTS LOVED THE PROGRAM AND TOLD US THAT THEY WERE TRYING THE RECIPES THAT WERE IN THE TAKE HOME HANDOUTS. FROM MARCH TO JUNE OF 2024, WE TAUGHT WEEKLY FOOD UNEARTHED CLASSES AT PS 90 IN BROOKLYN. WE REACHED FIFTY-FIVE SECOND GRADERS EVERY WEEK. COOKING CLASSESAT PS 206 IN BROOKLYN, WE PROVIDED COOKING CLASSES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY TO ALL 702 KINDERGARTEN TO THIRD GRADE STUDENTS IN THIRTY-ONE CLASSES. EACH CLASS RECEIVED TWO LESSONS. EACH STUDENT HAD THEIR OWN COOKING STATION WITH INGREDIENTS, A CHILD-SAFE KNIFE AND A CHOPPING MAT. EACH LESSON WOULD BEGIN WITH A SHORT DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POWER OF WHOLE PLANT FOODS. THEN, THE INSTRUCTOR WOULD DEMONSTRATE THE RECIPE AND TALK ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS. A FEW OF THE FAVORITE RECIPES INCLUDED HUMMUS WRAPS AND NON-DAIRY PARFAITS. AFTER SCHOOL COOKING CLASSESWE PROVIDED FIVE AFTER-SCHOOL FAMILY COOKING CLASSES AT PS 244 IN QUEENS. WE DID ONE CLASS OF TWENTY PEOPLE (10 STUDENTS WITH ONE PARENT/CAREGIVER) FOR EACH GRADE IN THE SCHOOL FOR A TOTAL OF ONE HUNDRED PARTICIPANTS. STUDENTS CHOPPED VEGGIES, MEASURED INGREDIENTS, AND ASSISTED IN PREPARING A DRESSING OR SAUCE ALONGSIDE THEIR PARENT/CAREGIVER. THE RECIPES WE PREPARED TOGETHER INCLUDED VEGGIE SPRING ROLLS WITH DIPPING SAUCE, EDAMAME HUMMUS WITH RAW VEGGIE STICKS AND OAT FLOUR PANCAKES WITH FRESH FRUIT. LUNCH & LEARN FOR TEACHERSON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS, WHEN THERE ARE NO STUDENTS IN THE BUILDING, WE MEET WITH TEACHERS DURING THEIR LUNCH HOUR. WE PROVIDE A VEGAN CATERED LUNCH AND HAVE A REGISTERED DIETICIAN DO A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE ROLE OF DIET IN DISEASE PREVENTION AND REVERSAL. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE OURSELVES TO ALL THE TEACHERS IN THE BUILDING AND ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN PROMOTING THE PLANT BASED OPTIONS IN THE CAFETERIA TO THEIR STUDENTS. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED THESE PROGRAMS AT TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS: ONE AT CITY KNOLL MIDDLE SCHOOL IN NYC TO 25 TEACHERS AND THE OTHER AT PS 244 IN QUEENS TO 26 TEACHERS. FAMILY DINNER NIGHTSWE HAVE BEEN HOLDING FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS. FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS ARE CATERED BY EITHER THE NYC OFFICE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES (OFNS) OR A RESTAURANT/CATERER THAT WE BRING IN. ANYONE WHO WORKS IN THE SCHOOL, ALL STUDENTS AND ANYONE WHO LIVES WITH THEM ARE INVITED FOR A FREE PLANT-BASED DINNER AND TALK BY A MD OR RD. IN 2024, WE HELD FIVE FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS AT PARTNER SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT NYC. AT PECK SLIP IN MANHATTAN, WE BROUGHT STEVE PIRIANO, MD IN TO DO A PRESENTATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 PARENTS WHILE THE STUDENTS PLAYED PLANT-BASED BINGO WITH OUR STAFF. AT PS 206 IN BROOKYN, WE PROVIDED TWO FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS, REACHING 325 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. JONATHAN LEIBOWITZ, MD PRESENTED AT BOTH. AT PS 244 IN QUEENS, WE WERE AT MAX CAPACITY WITH TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE GUESTS. WE HAD KIDNEY BEAN RAJMA AND RICE, SALAD, AND VEGGIE BURGERS. AT PS 971 IN BROOKLYN, WE BROUGHT IN A CHEF TO MAKE DINNER WITH THE FAMILIES. EVERYONE PARTICIPATED IN CHOPPING VEGETABLES FOR A SALAD, ROLLING DOUGH FOR PASTA, AND MEASURING AND MIXING INGREDIENTS FOR COOKIES. WE HAD A TOTAL OF SIXTY PARTICIPANTS. HIGH SCHOOLS VISITING VEGAN CHEFS PROGRAMTHERE ARE OVER 15 NYC HIGH
- $59,708 spent. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOOD UNEARTHED: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD CURRICULUMWE CONTINUED AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS TO RE-WRITE OUR FOOD UNEARTHED CURRICULUM AND CONTINUED WORKING SPECIFICALLY ON THE LESSONS FOR PREK. THIS INVOLVED A CURRICULUM WRITER, A TEACHER, AND THE COALITION FOR HEALTHY SCHOOL FOOD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER AND INCLUDED WORK ON THE LESSONS, THE EXTENSIVE MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE LESSONS, THE TAKE HOME HANDOUTS FOR THE PARENTS/CAREGIVERS, AND GETTING FEEDBACK FROM OUR TEACHERS.
- $14,927 spent. COALITIONS AND CONFERENCESIN MARCH OF 2024, WE PRESENTED TO THE NEW YORK STATE DRY BEAN FARMERS ABOUT OUR WORK IN SCHOOLS. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 40 FARMERS AND THOSE WHO WORKED WITH FARMERS THERE. WE PRESENT TO THEM EVERY YEAR ABOUT OUR WORK GETTING BEANS ON SCHOOL MENUS AND THEY PROVIDE US WITH A GRANT TO DO THIS WORK. WE PARTICIPATE AS PART OF A NATIONAL COALITION OF NON-PROFITS THAT WORK ON SCHOOL FOOD ISSUES. WE PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE GOAL OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND CREATING POLICY CHANGE. SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE TRYING TO ELEVATE THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING HIGH FIBER FOODS, AND PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO COW'S MILK DUE TO EQUITY ISSUES. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE FOOD ED COALITION RUN BY THE TISCH CENTER AT TEACHER'S COLLEGE, A COALITION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY THAT PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. WE MEET WITH THEM MONTHLY TO NETWORK AND THIS PROVIDES SUPPORT AND IDEAS FOR OUR PROGRAMMING.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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