As Director of No Kid Hungry Louisiana, I’m constantly inspired by the dedication of those who make child nutrition a reality every day. During National School Lunch Week, I had the pleasure of visiting Edward Hynes Charter School – Lakeview, alongside USDA Southwest Regional Administrator Bill Ludwig, to celebrate the critical role of school meals—and the incredible staff who make them happen.
At the heart of it all was Veronica “Cookie” Duperon, the beloved Cafeteria Manager known as Ms. Cookie. She’s more than a cafeteria worker—she’s a true Hunger Hero. Watching her serve students with such care and the way the kids responded to her and her team reminded me of the essential role our school nutrition teams play, particularly for the 1 in 4 Louisiana children who face hunger daily. School meals often provide the most nutritious food these children will receive, ensuring they stay focused and ready to learn.
National School Lunch Week not only celebrates these everyday heroes, but also highlights the vital work of the USDA staff who ensure all of our child nutrition programs function—from school meals to Summer EBT and School Breakfast. These programs are lifelines, supporting children and families year-round, and it’s the partnership between school nutrition staff and USDA that makes it all possible.
I’m filled with gratitude for Hunger Heroes like Ms. Cookie and the USDA team. Their dedication ensures that every child in Louisiana has the food they need to succeed. To all of our school nutrition workers and USDA staff—thank you for making a difference in our children’s lives every day. #NSLW24 #HungerHeroes #NoKidHungryLouisiana #USDA #ThankYouCafeteriaTeams
Rhonda M. Jackson
