The Ossining School District (Ossining UFSD) is pleased to announce a new collaboration between Whitsons Culinary Group and Brigaid, a nationally recognized network of chefs working in institutional kitchens, to further enhance the quality, nutrition and appeal of meals served to students across the district.
As Ossining UFSD’s food service management partner, Whitsons Culinary Group has been instrumental in providing nutritious, student-focused meals throughout the district. Through this new partnership, Brigaid will work alongside Whitsons and district leadership to strengthen scratch cooking practices, introduce diverse recipes, support culinary training and create engaging opportunities that encourage healthy eating habits among students.
This innovative collaboration is the first-of-its-kind in the nation for the district, Brigaid and Whitsons. As partners, the OUFSD business office will continue to benefit from Whitsons’ deep institutional knowledge and build on Brigaid’s impressive track record to enhance the overall student dining experience.
“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, founded by Chef Dan Giusti, places professional chefs in school districts to help transform food service programs from within. Working side by side with existing nutrition teams, Brigaid focuses on sustainable improvements that empower cafeteria staff, enhance food quality and increase student participation in school 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.”
“We are proud to collaborate with Brigaid and Ossining UFSD as we continue our commitment to providing exceptional food service experiences for students,” said Ina VanDer Sande, Whitsons’ Food Service Director. “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 featuring more scratch-made offerings, fresh ingredients, culturally relevant recipes and new opportunities for student feedback and engagement. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment among Ossining UFSD, Whitsons and Brigaid to support student health, academic success and overall well-being.
