Meet the revolutionary behind thelunchbox.org Thursday, September 24th, in Houston.

WHO: “Renegade Lunch Lady” Chef Ann Cooper

WHAT: Whole Foods Market, a leader in natural and organic foods, and Chef Ann Cooper, the nation’s “Renegade Lunch Lady,” have joined forces to raise awareness about the need to transform lunch in schools across the country with the “School Lunch Revolution” campaign. This national effort, which launched during the back-to-school season, aims to enable schools to serve more fresh, delicious, made-from-scratch food. The free, first-of-its-kind Lunch Box Web site - thelunchbox.org – provides the necessary resources for food service directors to make tangible changes in their cafeteria menus.

Chef Ann Cooper will take the School Lunch Revolution message to Houston, TX, to create public awareness in order to support improved nutritional requirements and adequate funding for the National School Lunch Program. Events will include a cooking competition for the kids, and a forum/panel presentation with local Houston leaders.

WHEN: Thursday, September 24th, 2PM - 6PM

WHERE: Eleanor Tinsley Elementary @ 2PM

11035 Bob White Dr., Houston, TX 77096

Chef Ann Cooper; Monica Pope of T’afia and the Midtown Farmer’s Market; HISD Executive Chef John Guimond; and Emmy-nominated host of the PBS show Houston 8, will be judging a “Top Chef” style cooking competition for kids. Groups of students from Barbara Jordan High School, Welch Middle School and Tinsley Elementary will be creating school lunches based on Cooper’s school lunch criteria. They will have to use a budget to create a menu based on the current HISD system.

Urban Harvest will be providing seasonal, local produce from farmers and school and community gardens. The winning team’s lunch will be featured in the HISD school lunch calendar during the spring of 2010.