Principals are champions for students, and many are leading the way to address childhood hunger in schools across Georgia. That’s why we’re celebrating National Principals Month by recognizing the incredible school leaders who ensure students have the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

New research from No Kid Hungry’s Back to School Report highlights just how critical school meals are for families across the country. Surveying over 1,200 parents, the report reveals that many households are struggling to put food on the table, especially during the summer months when school is out. The return to school and access to reliable school meals provide vital relief. According to the report, 40% of parents worry that food will run out before the end of the month and rising food prices are their top concern. However, most parents surveyed view school meals as a valuable program, with over 80% noting that children perform better in school when they eat there.

40%

of parents worry

that food will run out

before the month.

80%

note children perform

better in school when

they eat there.

In the report, parents shared stories of how school meals reduce financial stress and help their kids stay focused, healthy, and ready to learn. One Georgia father put it simply:

School meals are more than just food – they’re fuel for learning and lifelines for families. They activate student learning, improve attendance, and reduce stress at home. That’s why principals who prioritize school nutrition programs are also helping build stronger communities.

This month, we heard from communities across Georgia about principals who go the extra mile to support school meals, especially during breakfast time. With innovative breakfast models, like Breakfast After the Bell, common barriers to breakfast access (such as transportation schedules, stigma, or late arrivals) were removed by making it a seamless part of the school day. In addition, administrative buy-in for school lunch supports cafeteria staff so well, and gets kids more excited for school meals. Supportive principals have help boost school meals participation and support better outcomes for kids. Below are just a handful of the many hunger heroes we can find in principals across Georgia!

Ashley Polito

Holly Springs Elementary, Cherokee County

Ms. Polito is an exceptional principal who cares deeply for both her students and staff. She is committed to ensuring that every child at Holly Springs Elementary receives healthy, nourishing meals each day to support their learning and success. Her appreciation for the school’s dedicated nutrition team is evident– she includes them in all school celebrations and events, recognizes their achievements such as winning Elementary Team of the Year and consistently provides administrative support when needed.

Ms. Polito goes above and beyond, even stepping in to serve meals when the kitchen is short-staffed. She addresses kitchen-related concerns promptly and works collaboratively with the School Nutrition team to find positive solutions. Her leadership and hands-on approach make her a true champion of school meals and a key reason why the School Nutrition program thrives at Holly Springs Elementary.

When asked how Ashley works to make school meals a success, Trang Pham says that Ashley:

• Sets a positive tone at Holly Springs ES by emphasizing the importance of nutritious meals for student success.

• Communicates regularly with the school nutrition team to proactively address concerns to minimize disruptions to meal service.

• Encourages student participation in nutrition promotions and events to build excitement around healthy eating and school meals.

• Demonstrates openness to creative ideas and strategies aimed at increasing meal participation and enhancing students’ dining experiences.

Thank you Ashley for your excellent work and drive to support school meals. Principals like you are crucial to boosting student participation in school meals, and it shines at Holly Springs Elementary!

Dr. Carolyn Daughterty

Bascomb Elementary, Cherokee County

When asked why he nominated Dr. Carolyn Daughterty, Mark Johnson says it is “because she is an incredible supporter of school nutrition and consistently goes out of her way to support our school nutrition employees. Her encouragement, understanding, and hands-on involvement make a meaningful difference in our program and for our team every day.”

Dr. Carolyn Daughterty works to make school meals a success by actively supporting the team, providing resources when needed, and promoting the importance of nutritious meals to students and staff. She encourages collaboration, celebrates our successes, and ensures that our cafeteria programs run smoothly, which helps create a positive mealtime experience for everyone. Thank you Dr. Carolyn Daughterty for your passion for school meals! Thanks to hunger heroes like you, it is possible to be one step closer to no kid hungry.

Dr. Willie Adkinson

Burke County Middle School

Dr. A always includes the nutrition staff in school celebrations. He is active on social media and highlights school meals and staff in his social media posts. He even comes to the lunchroom to speak to the staff and students during lunch each day!

He is very supportive of our nutrition staff and program. With his positive spirit, he encourages the students and staff. During meal service, he’s in the lunchroom visiting with the students and staff. His positive spirit is contagious. Thank you Dr. A, for your care for the students and passion for school meals.

Joy Duncan Harris

Kemp Primary School, Clayton County

Principal Harris is an exceptional leader with 25 years of education experience. She remains committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high achieving learning environment. She is committed to ensuring that her students learn to read before they leave the 2nd grade. Mrs. Harris along with our Food Nutrition Dept and staff go the extra mile to ensure that all students receive a free nutritious breakfast and lunch everyday. Mrs. Harris cares deeply for her students, staff, and their families.

She sets a positive tone at Kemp Primary School ensuring a welcoming environment for all. She emphasizes the importance of students eating each morning to fuel their brains. She encourages parents and staff in need to take advantage of the Kemp Primary Schools Helping Hands Ending Hunger Foodbank her school counselors run.

All across the country in every school students throw away unopened pre-packaged food items. The Kemp Primary School Helping Hands Ending Hunger Foodbank is a unique program that encourages students to place unwanted unopened pre-packaged items during breakfast and lunch into specially marked bins. These items are then given out along with other purchased food items like meats, vegetables and canned goods from the foodbank to families in need each week.

Mrs. Harris does not believe in the word I. She believes in the collective word WE. She inspires everyone that she comes in contact with. Her passion continues to lie in building relationships, empowering educators, and ensuring every child is seen, heard, fed, and supported.

Thank you, Principal Joy Duncan Harris, for your leadership and support of the school nutrition program, students, parents and staff at Kemp Primary School!

Dr. Arthur Billings

Perry High School, Houston County

Mr. Billings is woven into the fabric of the Perry community, a graduate of the very school he now leads. He goes above and beyond to support student well-being through every aspect of the school experience, and that includes school meals. Under his leadership, the school has created an inclusive, respectful cafeteria environment where every student has access to nutritious, appealing meals.

He actively partners with nutrition staff, ensuring that no child ever feels stigmatized for receiving free or reduced-price meals. Mr. Billings understands that hungry children cannot learn. Thus, he brings compassion, creativity, and advocacy to his role, constantly seeking ways to remove barriers and improve access to food for all students. His leadership has made school meals not just a service, but a key part of the school’s commitment to equity and academic success.

The result of his leadership and efforts is that Perry high school can boast a 75% participation rate for both breakfast and lunch!

Dr. Fanicia Rogers

Primary School, Putnam County

When asked why she nominated this principal, Teena Carrs says that “Dr. Rogers is great. No matter what I want to try with the students, she is very supportive. She is the best Principal we have in all our schools.” She continues and says, “Dr. Rogers is not only compassionate with Nutrition, but with all of her staff. She helps teachers, Para-pros, and more. She steps in and helps wherever she is needed. I love her so much for her inspiration to me and others.”

Dr. Rogers ask the students to try new things, and one motto she has is “do not say yuck till you try it!” She also shows great support by praising the school nutrition staff, which makes employees feel so good about their hard work and jobs. Support is not just about approving school meal program initiatives, but showing up and showing appreciation. Thank you Dr. Rogers for your camaraderie and passion to feed kids in Putnam County!

Jim Carter

Sardis Elementary School, Hall County

April Cox nominated Mr. Carter because “he truly exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. He leads with humility, integrity, and a genuine passion for serving both students and staff. His actions consistently reflect a deep commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive, and empowering school environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.”

Mr. Carter consistently goes above and beyond to support the team at Sardis! He takes the time to connect with staff, making a genuine effort to get to know each team member. Whether it’s offering a helping hand when things get busy or simply checking in, his presence is always appreciated. What makes the Sardis nutrition staff most proud is seeing him come through the lunch line to sit and share a meal with students, taking the time to talk with them about their day and showing that he truly cares.

Thank you, Mr. Carter, for all you do to support school meals and care for your student body! Principals like you are our hunger heroes.

Resources

Want to learn how to build stronger relationships with principals and teachers around breakfast implementation? Watch our webinar, Gaining Teacher and Principal Buy-in for Breakfast After the Bell, where nutrition leaders share proven strategies for initiating engagement, providing training, and maintaining ongoing communication with school staff to ensure the success of Breakfast After the Bell programs.