Ossining Schools Taps Brigaid Partnership To Expand Scratch-Made Student Meals

OSSINING, NY — School lunches just got a brand new recipe book at on Hudson Valley school district.

Ossining Union Free School District has announced a new collaboration involving Whitsons Culinary Group and Brigaid to improve meals served to students across the district. The district said Whitsons, its food service management partner, and Brigaid, a network of chefs working in institutional kitchens, will work with district leadership on school dining improvements.

According to the district, the partnership will focus on strengthening scratch cooking practices, introducing diverse recipes, supporting culinary training and creating opportunities that encourage healthy eating habits among students. The announcement describes the collaboration as a first-of-its-kind arrangement for the district, Brigaid and Whitsons.

"This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to build upon the strong foundation already established by Whitsons in our schools," said Alita McCoy, OUFSD Assistant Superintendent for Business. "By bringing Brigaid's culinary expertise together with Whitsons' operational excellence, we can continue to elevate our meal program and provide students with food that is fresh, nutritious and enjoyable."

Brigaid was founded by Chef Dan Giusti and places professional chefs in school districts to help transform food service programs from within, according to the announcement. The district said Brigaid works alongside existing nutrition teams and focuses on sustainable improvements intended to support cafeteria staff, enhance food quality and increase student participation in meal programs.

"We are thrilled to work with Ossining UFSD and Whitsons Culinary Group to support the district's vision for student wellness and nutrition," said Shayne Somers, Engagement Manager at Brigaid. "Together, we're creating opportunities to serve meals that students are excited to eat while building long-term culinary capacity within the district."

Whitsons Food Service Director Ina VanDer Sande said the partnership combines operational experience with a chef-driven approach.

"We are proud to collaborate with Brigaid and Ossining UFSD as we continue our commitment to providing exceptional food service experiences for students," VanDer Sande said. "Combining our operational expertise with Brigaid's chef-driven approach creates a powerful partnership focused on delivering fresh, nutritious and delicious meals every day."

Students and families can expect menu enhancements that include more scratch-made offerings, fresh ingredients, culturally relevant recipes and new opportunities for student feedback and engagement, according to the district.