Ban Processed Foods From All Florida Public Schools
The Issue
PROJECT: RIDE HUNGER OUT OF FLORIDA
From the Keys to the Capital
Every Child Has a Right to Real Food
To the Governor of Florida, Members of the Florida Legislature, Florida Department of Education, School Board Leaders, and Public Officials:
We, the undersigned citizens, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and concerned residents, respectfully call upon the State of Florida to make child nutrition a public priority and pursue meaningful reforms that improve the quality of food served in our schools and child-serving institutions.
Across our state, children face rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, food insecurity, diet-related illness, and nutrition-related health challenges. At the same time, many families lack access to nutrition education, healthy food preparation skills, and affordable nutrient-dense food options.
As parents and taxpayers, we believe schools should help support the health, development, and academic success of our children. We believe that food served in educational settings should contribute positively to learning, wellness, and long-term health outcomes.
Through this petition, we support the following goals:
OUR 10 CALLS TO ACTION
Reduce the use of heavily ultra-processed foods in Florida public school meal programs.
Reduce excessive added sugars in foods served within child-serving institutions.
Strengthen nutrition education standards throughout Florida schools.
Expand access to nutrient-rich foods in underserved communities.
Restore practical culinary and food preparation education opportunities for students.
Encourage partnerships between schools and Florida farmers, growers, and food producers.
Increase transparency regarding ingredients and nutritional quality in school meals.
Establish stronger standards for healthy school food environments.
Support mobile nutrition education initiatives that reach underserved communities.
Recognize child nutrition and food education as essential components of public health and academic success.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Healthy children learn better.
Healthy children perform better academically.
Healthy children are more likely to become healthy adults.
Nutrition is not simply a healthcare issue. It is an education issue, an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a quality-of-life issue that impacts every community across Florida.
OUR COMMITMENT
Through Project: Ride Hunger Out of Florida and the future Yes Chef Village Mobile Nutrition & Culinary Lab, we are committed to educating families, empowering communities, promoting food literacy, and creating opportunities for healthier futures.
We believe Florida has an opportunity to become a national leader in child wellness, nutrition education, and school food innovation.
We respectfully ask our elected officials and educational leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, review current policies, and pursue reforms that place the health and well-being of Florida’s children at the center of decision-making.
Together, we can build a healthier future.
Together, we can ride hunger out of Florida.
From the Keys to the Capital.
Respectfully,
Chef Marques Clark
Founder, Yes Chef Village
PROJECT: RIDE HUNGER OUT OF FLORIDA
“Every Child Has a Right to Real Food”
SIGN THE PETITION
Join us in our goal of 100,000 signatures and help bring Florida child nutrition reform to the forefront of public conversation.
186
The Issue
PROJECT: RIDE HUNGER OUT OF FLORIDA
From the Keys to the Capital
Every Child Has a Right to Real Food
To the Governor of Florida, Members of the Florida Legislature, Florida Department of Education, School Board Leaders, and Public Officials:
We, the undersigned citizens, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and concerned residents, respectfully call upon the State of Florida to make child nutrition a public priority and pursue meaningful reforms that improve the quality of food served in our schools and child-serving institutions.
Across our state, children face rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, food insecurity, diet-related illness, and nutrition-related health challenges. At the same time, many families lack access to nutrition education, healthy food preparation skills, and affordable nutrient-dense food options.
As parents and taxpayers, we believe schools should help support the health, development, and academic success of our children. We believe that food served in educational settings should contribute positively to learning, wellness, and long-term health outcomes.
Through this petition, we support the following goals:
OUR 10 CALLS TO ACTION
Reduce the use of heavily ultra-processed foods in Florida public school meal programs.
Reduce excessive added sugars in foods served within child-serving institutions.
Strengthen nutrition education standards throughout Florida schools.
Expand access to nutrient-rich foods in underserved communities.
Restore practical culinary and food preparation education opportunities for students.
Encourage partnerships between schools and Florida farmers, growers, and food producers.
Increase transparency regarding ingredients and nutritional quality in school meals.
Establish stronger standards for healthy school food environments.
Support mobile nutrition education initiatives that reach underserved communities.
Recognize child nutrition and food education as essential components of public health and academic success.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Healthy children learn better.
Healthy children perform better academically.
Healthy children are more likely to become healthy adults.
Nutrition is not simply a healthcare issue. It is an education issue, an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a quality-of-life issue that impacts every community across Florida.
OUR COMMITMENT
Through Project: Ride Hunger Out of Florida and the future Yes Chef Village Mobile Nutrition & Culinary Lab, we are committed to educating families, empowering communities, promoting food literacy, and creating opportunities for healthier futures.
We believe Florida has an opportunity to become a national leader in child wellness, nutrition education, and school food innovation.
We respectfully ask our elected officials and educational leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, review current policies, and pursue reforms that place the health and well-being of Florida’s children at the center of decision-making.
Together, we can build a healthier future.
Together, we can ride hunger out of Florida.
From the Keys to the Capital.
Respectfully,
Chef Marques Clark
Founder, Yes Chef Village
PROJECT: RIDE HUNGER OUT OF FLORIDA
“Every Child Has a Right to Real Food”
SIGN THE PETITION
Join us in our goal of 100,000 signatures and help bring Florida child nutrition reform to the forefront of public conversation.
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Petition created on June 4, 2026