Grades of Green has been selected as a winner of the 2025 Prizes for Innovation, receiving a $25,000 award from the Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) and Newman’s Own Foundation. This recognition honors the organization’s innovative and systemic approach to advancing youth health equity through nutrition education and sustainable school food programming.
Since 2009, Grades of Green has empowered over 800,000 students across 600+ schools to take action and lead environmental change in their communities. Through free educational lessons, projects, and resources, students gain the tools and confidence to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
With this award, Grades of Green is partnering with Vista Charter Middle School to co-create a holistic, student-powered program that transforms an underutilized campus space into a vibrant hub for health, sustainability, and community connection.
“The United States is facing profound food and nutrition challenges that disproportionately affect young people and communities of color, yet far too little funding and resources go toward addressing these critical challenges,” said Nicolene Hengen, Executive Director of the Hunger to Health Collaboratory. “The Prizes for Innovation are designed to identify, support, and uplift changemakers and innovative food and nutrition work that creates long-term solutions to improving health equity for youth.”
This year’s prizes are presented in collaboration with Newman’s Own Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation whose mission is to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity.
“We’re delighted to support this year’s Prizes for Innovation with the Hunger to Health Collaboratory,” said Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “The six prize recipients have the power to transform our food system for kids, creating a healthier, more equitable future.”
In addition to the funding award, Grades of Green will attend the H2HC Fall Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 6, 2025, joining other prize winners and leaders from across sectors who are advancing food justice and health equity for children.
A Message from Grades of Green
We’re truly honored and grateful to receive this year’s Prize for Innovation. This recognition fuels our mission to empower students to lead with creativity, compassion, and purpose — not only for the planet but for their own communities’ health and well-being.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Hunger to Health Collaboratory and Newman’s Own Foundation for believing in the power of youth leadership. With your support, we’re excited to co-create a space where students can learn, grow, and transform their schools into healthier, more sustainable environments for everyone.
Thank you for helping us continue to plant the seeds of change.
About the Partner Organizations
Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) is a national model that brings together cross-sector leaders to develop systemic, equitable solutions to food and nutrition challenges. Since launching the Prizes for Innovation in 2022, H2HC has awarded $400,000 to changemakers across the country.
Newman’s Own Foundation continues the legacy of actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, donating 100% of profits and royalties from Newman’s Own products to organizations that nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. Since 1982, over $600 million has been distributed to social impact initiatives worldwide.
