Jan. 17—A landmark new alliance among Los Angeles Unified and five other major urban school districts are hoping to leverage their vast purchasing power for healthier fare and lower prices.
School districts in L.A., New York, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Orlando, Fla., plan to announce Thursday efforts to use their collective clout—2.5 million daily meals served and $530 million annually spent—to make wholesome food a national standard. The districts are also aiming for more eco-friendly practices—replacing polystyrene and plasticwith biodegradable trays and flatware, for instance.