Chicago Public Schools officials say they have a new plan to reduce the cost of serving millions of meals a year.
They're going to join forces with some of the nation's largest school districts in the Urban School Food Alliance. The new group includes school districts from New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami and Orlando, Fla.
Officials say the districts will use their joint purchasing power to cut the price of buying food and to work with food vendors to create nutritious menus.
The districts together buy more than $530 million in food and food service supplies and serve 462 million meals annually.
CPS is the nation's third-largest district and buys $109 million in food and supplies, and serves approximately 70 million breakfasts and lunches each year.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 23:20:22 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:14:33 GMT
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:10:10 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:48:47 GMT
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 23:20:22 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:10:10 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Saturday, June 15 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-06-15 16:19:59 GMT
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
Friday, June 14 2013 9:10 PM EDT2013-06-15 01:10:30 GMT
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:49 AM EDT2013-06-13 14:49:47 GMT
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
