For the past 13 years, Ms. Genao, has been an essential part of the district 1 team, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that over 700 students receive nutritious and delicious meals every day.

Her commitment to excellence is evident in her reliability and strong work ethic. With an exemplary attendance record, she is always present and ready to serve, demonstrating a positive attitude that uplifts both her colleagues and the students. Her kindness, teamwork, and willingness, to help others extend beyond her own kitchen. She is actively supporting her fellow cooks across the district ensuring smooth operations and fostering a spirit of collaboration.

Ms. Genao is not just a cook; she is a role model, team player, and an integral part of our school community.

Ms. Almonte’s passion for cooking has earned her this nomination. The energy she brings everyday reflects her passion in making sure her students are getting exceptional customer service. She makes sure her students are fed a nutritional meal following nutritional standards. The students look forward to coming to the line. She is passionate and she makes sure she is at work every day. Together with her staff she makes this happen.

Ms. Cobos is an exceptional employee. She goes above and beyond to ensure the students at PS 185, M226, and Harlem Link Charter are served wholesome and nutritious meals each and every day. She demonstrates true professionalism and dedication to OFNS. It is a true pleasure to have Ms. Cobos a part of the team. 

Cecilia loves her job and takes pride in her work; she works hard every single day to produce the delicious meals her students love so much. She is the very definition of leading by example; she does it all. As a new cook manager, Cecilia runs her kitchen with love, dedication, and efficiency. Her students love her, the school administration adores her, and we are delighted to have someone like her in charge of one of our schools. She is a true gem to OFNS.

Mr. Brown has been an employee for 8 years and loves his job very much. He is dependable, flexible, and ensures the kitchen is clean and ready to serve our students.

Ms. Duran is a relatively recent addition to the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, having embarked on her journey as a school lunch aide. However, her drive and self-assurance quickly led her to recognize her potential, prompting her to request a more substantial role as a heavy-duty worker. Not long after, she seized the opportunity to apply for an assistant cook position, which she was promptly appointed to. Ms. Duran adapted to her new responsibilities with remarkable agility, and it wasn’t long before her skills were tested when the cook-in-charge unexpectedly needed time off. Without hesitation, Ruth stepped into the role of cook-in-charge, demonstrating not only her competence but her willingness to embrace the challenge. Her deep care and affection for the children became evident in her work, consistently shining through at the service line. So seamless was her performance that the administration scarcely noticed the absence of the cook-in-charge. Ruth excelled in feeding nearly 800 children each day, often with minimal support, all while maintaining a warm and cheerful demeanor.

Mr. Garcia is a great asset to District 7. Teofilo is always willing to help where needed. His positive attitude and enthusiasm is contagious. He takes a lot of pride on his work and is very reliable and efficient.

In November 2006, Nuvia Norales joined OFNS. She quickly proved to be an excellent team member, collaborating well with her colleagues and completing tasks with ease. Nuvia often took the initiative and willingly stepped up as team lead when necessary. She reported to her assignments daily, always wearing her best smile. Nuvia is a valuable asset to the OFNS D 08 Team. As the Cook In Charge at PS 583 in District 08, the Bronx, her kindness and well-spoken demeanor shines through, especially during breakfast and lunch service when students come to the line. She genuinely cares for her students, is highly punctual, and is consistently present at work to ensure that the students at PS 583 receive healthy, delicious, and nutritious meals.

Her spirit of teamwork is evident in the strong team she has built around her.

Ms. King has been working in District 9 from 2009. Ms. King was nominated for 2025 Hunger Hero, because that is just what she is. A “Hero.” There were times when we have had incidents such as late deliveries, no hot water or blocked drains and Ms King, who is always reliable, pulls through when we make alternate choices to serve our school community a safe and nutritious meal at PS 114. Ms. King is our Hero for always working after school programs, recesses, holiday breaks and even on weekends. District 9 thanks Ms. King for her dedication and commitment in serving our school community a diverse, healthy, and nutritious menu.

Stephen was hired on 10/29/2014 which totals 11 years of service. He is currently assigned to PS 10159 The BX. During this period, he has been absent a total of 19 days, two of which were Jury Duty. Needless to say, his attendance is unmeasurable. Besides his immaculate attendance, he also goes above and beyond the call of duty. Often times covering as the cook in charge, completing all paperwork while doing his HD task. Stephen can definitely be the role model for others to follow in our district. We are extremely proud to nominate him as our Hunger Hero.

Mr. Peart works tirelessly to ensure our children are fed, and his extraordinary efforts deserve recognition. Mr. Peart’s punctuality and reliability have been noted, and we appreciate his willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that our children are satisfied. He is present at work from 7:05 AM to 2:35 PM with a smile on his face, giving his time, serving love and value to the job for the children and staff at PS 12 (11888) / D 75 school. His position is a Sr. SLH/ cook, but he also takes on the role as a heavy-duty person because of the small number of students.

Maureen Anderson has dedicated an incredible forty-one and a half years to District 12. Her unwavering commitment and exceptional attendance have been truly inspiring. She consistently demonstrates a remarkable work ethic, taking on every assignment with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. No matter the task, Ms. Anderson approaches it with a willingness to go above and beyond, ensuring that every task is completed to the highest standard. Her professionalism shines through in all her efforts, particularly in ensuring that the children receive nutritious meals. Her ability to assist wherever needed showcases her dedication to teamwork and genuine desire to support her colleagues. Ms. Anderson’s outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on District 12, and we are grateful for her leadership. Cheers to a job well done! 

Mr. James is a dependable employee. He is always willing to assist with other areas of responsibility to ensure the students get fed. He makes himself available to assist at other schools when needed.

Ms. Bailey has consistently gone above and beyond in providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches to the student of PS 380. As the Cook and Team Leader, Ms. Bailey has played a pivotal role in upholding OFNS standards with her selfless efforts to increase participation daily. Through these efforts she does not only encourage students to enjoy their meals but inspires her colleagues to engage more in the process. This makes her a Hunger Hero and highly deserving of this recognition.

Leonel Mercedes has been an integral part of the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) since 2012, beginning his journey as an assistant cook at PS 24 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Demonstrating remarkable skill and dedication, he swiftly advanced to the position of cook-in-charge, where he honed his culinary talents and leadership abilities. Today, Leonel shines in his role as Cook Manager at PS 24, where he not only oversees meal preparations but also fosters a sense of community within the school. His commitment to providing nutritious meals and creating a welcoming environment has made him a respected leader in the District 15. Leonel’s journey reflects his passion for food and his unwavering dedication to the well-being of the students he serves.

Aldona has been the backbone of the district. As the office manager, she always ensures communication between the field office and the field is there. She lends an ear to our employees when they need to vent and make sure they have words of encouragement. Aldona has a positive outlook on everything and always comes in with a smile. I have seen Aldona assist in the kitchen when we are short staffed while maintaining the office and sending out communication.

Calvin Forde is a Sr. School Lunch Helper/HDP at PS 397 a small and delightful school here in district 17. With over 8 years of service to the organization, Calvin’s winning personality is second to none! He shows up every day and eagerly serves students their daily meals with such delight! The response: “Mr. Calvin, this, Mr. Calvin, that!” His relationship with school administration is talked about. Calvin truly has a heart for service, he is an asset to the district.

Mr. Everton Pinnock is very dedicated and committed worker. He is always at work and very flexible to work with. He is always willing to cover another school whenever it is needed. He is willing to go above and beyond with a big smile on his face. Mr. Pinnock has served OFNS with loyalty and integrity since 2018.

Ms. Margarita Nunez has been part of our OFNS team since 1998. She is a courteous, dedicated and reliable individual who is an asset to this organization. I commend Margarita for her work ethic and positive attitude towards the students and staff throughout the years of service with OFNS.

Malka Jehan is a remarkable employee who contributes to the growth and success of District 20. Malka is a dedicated cook who puts her heart and soul into preparing delicious, nutritious meals for the students and faculty at P.S. 264. She is a great leader and team player who empowers her team to feel confident in their roles. Her unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in her food presentation and immaculate kitchen.

Anna is a true gem. She prepares each meal with love, adding that special extra flavor that makes the students feel cared for and appreciated. Her dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, as both the staff and administration at Brooklyn Studio Secondary School are incredibly grateful for her contributions. Anna values every child she serves, always taking the time to greet them with a warm smile, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the kitchen. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our team – we truly love her!

Stephenie is a model employee. She cares about her job, the kids and coworkers. Her school is a charter school and when they are closed she will go to any school and assist wherever needed with no hesitation.

Ms. Joy as her school community calls her, is the cook-in-charge at PS 12. The Office of Food and Nutrition has employed Ms. Joy for 35 years. Ms. Joy’s dedication goes above and beyond. Her love for her job and children is recognized in how she runs her kitchen and communicates with her school community. She is a kitchen hero who follows recipes, is innovative, adapts, and pours love into her craft. Ms. Joy’s name says it all–she brings JOY to her kitchen at PS 12.

This is to acknowledge her extra ordinary hard work, professionalism and her commitment towards the students in district 24 and the community. Ms. Astudillo joined OFNS eleven years ago as a School Lunch Helper and later was promoted to Senior School Lunch Helper / Assistant cook. She always takes pride in her work; she never stops moving in the kitchen and her attendance from year to year 100%. One and half years ago the head cook in the school retired, Ms. Astudillo filled in for that position and has been in charge as the head cook without the title. She serves over 2300 meals daily with her team, it does not matter how bad the weather is Ms. Astudillo is there to feed her students.

The school administration, student body and the rest of kitchen staff recognize her hard work, commitment, diligence and self-motivation. She has been a source of motivation to all the staffs in the school building.

Ronny Carvajal is a Sr.SLH/HDP who assists daily to serving 425 students a Grab and Go Breakfast at the front door of PS 79 with an energetic singing greeting and a golden smile that doesn’t go unnoticed. No matter frigid cold, snow, rain or shine, Ronny ensures he’s at that door and inspires the students to take a meal. He is very passionate with a positive attitude and is dedicated to ensuring the students eat breakfast and lunch always with a smile, a joke or words of encouragement. The students, staff and community all know Ronny and make it their business to go out of their way to say hello to him. Ronny ensures his kitchen is always spotless, completes his tasks, trains and assists others even when short of staff without complaints. We are incredibly lucky to have Ronny on our team and everyone should have an employee like Ronny at every school.

Francisco Rodriguez started working for district 26 approximately over 21 years ago. He started as an hourly heavy-duty person, then moved up to assistant cook, and finally cook in charge. Throughout his progression he has always shown a great work ethic and true dedication to the nutrition program. This school year he was challenged with gas and equipment issues all year, and the whole time he has demonstration what a truly great leader he is. He has risen to the challenge of providing about 630 lunches each day to the students of MS 67 while dealing with these issues. He does this each day with great concern for quality, presentation and taste so that his students receive the best meal possible. We thank him for coming to work every day with a positive attitude and a willingness to do whatever it takes to feed the NYC students.

Caresta tirelessly tries her best to make the most delicious and nutritious food for the students of Far Rockaway High School. Filling the assistant cook position in this CEE kitchen has been an ongoing hurdle for us to fill. Even today, Ms. Martin is holding down the fort on her own. A wonderful characteristic of Caresta Martin is that she will smile for the staff and students regardless of how she is really feeling. Well deserved Ms. Martin!

Chrisula knows how to find a place in a team environment, and is able to tackle all the challenges that accompany a leadership role. With the possession of effective communication skills, Chrisula is highly adept at building rapport with administration, coworkers, and her staff. She is a mentor and field trainer who supports her colleagues with any concerns they might need assistance with.

Chrisula is an outstanding individual who has a lot to offer. I can honestly say that Chrisula goes the extra mile to get the job done and pays careful attention to details along the way.

Mr. Edward has been an exceptional HDP. He is at PS 176, and he goes above and beyond when it comes to cleaning his site and making his kitchen and cafe area for the students a pleasant experience. Mr. Edwards engages the students by reminding them of the importance of composting as they separate all items and strive to maintain lunch tables that are easy for staff to clean. The reward for the students will be more time to engage in board games. Mr. Edwards donates to admin for the students. Mr. Edwards is a part of my special clean-up crew that goes to any site I have in the district and would ensure the entire kitchen looks like brand new. I must say from a sub till now as a permanent employee he has never changed and I wish I can clone him for we all appreciate what he does every day.

Josephine Spatola is a School Lunch Helper at Long Island City High School. She has been proudly serving her school community since 1995. Fun fact: when the new Long Island City HS opened up on Broadway, she was part of the original kitchen staff. Josephine has seen many changes throughout her three decades of service. Always cheerful and eager; she has never missed a beat in keeping up with our organization. She is adaptable, cooperative and dedicated to her team – she worked through most of the pandemic despite her circumstances. One of her most endearing qualities is the love she puts into her food. For instance, her grab and go salad bowls and tuna sandwiches are some of the most requested items among the children she serves. She has clearly helped her student community cultivate a positive relationship towards school food. District 30 is so proud to nominate Josephine as one of the 2025 Hunger Heroes.

Mr. James Durazzo began working for the Office of School Food & Nutrition Services in June 2022. Since he came to District 31, he has been an exceptional employee. He’s worked to increase participation, conducted school-based student taste testing, received great feedback while appropriately managing OFNS operations on the school level, recipe standardization, and determination of quantities of food required, supplies, and equipment. He’s very supportive to his staff and works well with everyone and assists whenever needed.

Ms. Castillo is a very hard-working dedicated employee with thirty plus years of service. Each day she will stay back after her shift ends to ensure everything is done before she leaves. She is a great support to her cook in charge and kitchen staff. Even the days when she is not feeling her best, she still comes to work and does her best to support the team. She is the definition of a true team player. No task is too big for her to do. She can be called upon and relied on when needed. Ms. Castillo goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Sherif Ibrahim is a School Food Loader Handler that very much enjoys his job. He is a highly motivated individual that always delivers over the top service in any job he is assigned. His positive attitude is contagious among his coworkers.

Jacqueline Mills embarked on her career journey with NYC Public Schools on November 4th, 1998, when she was hired as a School Lunch Helper in District 18. Her exemplary performance and background in accounting soon earned her a promotion to Bookkeeper in 2001. Jacqueline thrived in this role for 11 years, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and diligence in her work.

Fueled by her dependability and passion for cooking, Jacqueline was then offered the position of Cook in-charge (Senior School Lunch Aide). This role allowed her to combine her love for cooking with her dedication to feeding the children of NYC Public Schools.
In pursuit of furthering her expertise and contribution, Ms. Mills joined the Food Safety Unit on September 4th, 2012, as a HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Monitor (now called HACCP Advisor). This crucial role involves conducting food safety inspections in all NYC Public School Kitchens, reporting findings, and retraining kitchen staff to ensure adherence to safety procedures. Jacqueline embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm, acquiring extensive knowledge in food safety and eagerly sharing her skills with other cooks and kitchen workers.

Jacqueline’s passion for her work is evident in her commitment to making a positive impact on the kitchen staff, managers, and district supervisors. Her routine food safety inspections are not just about identifying violations; they are about empowering staff with the knowledge and skills to maintain safe and nutritious food for the children. As Ms. Mills would say, “I can’t leave a kitchen without ensuring that the staff have been supported and know what to do moving forward.”

Her approach to inspections is hands-on and supportive. Jacqueline ensures that any observed violations are promptly corrected, retrains staff on standard food safety operating procedures, and implements preventative measures to avoid future infractions. Her compassionate and approachable demeanor makes her a trusted mentor and a go-to person for ideas and experience within her team.

Colleagues and staff alike recognize Jacqueline’s dedication and passion. She consistently strives to help and positively impact those she works with, leaving a lasting impression through her advice and support. Ms. Mills would often say, “I am there to help the staff, impact them positively, and be sure they would remember what I advised them to do.”
Jacqueline Mills’ unwavering commitment of over 26 years to the NYC Public Schools system, her passion for ensuring safe food for children, and her exemplary service undoubtedly qualify her as a HUNGER HERO. Her dedication and contributions are truly worthy of recognition and celebration.

Kecia Brown has been working for the New York City Department of Education, Office of Food and Nutrition Services for 32 years. Kecia has been diligently providing technical support to all food service programs in public schools, non-public schools and community-based organization throughout New York City’s 5 boroughs. Her dedication and commitment to her job over the 32 continuous years has helped to ensure that the respective food service programs are following city, state and federal food and nutrition regulations, thus ensuring that the Office of Food and Nutrition Services gets the financial resources it needs to continue to provide safe and nutritious meals to eligible children in New York City schools.

He provides great service to assure contractors are keeping the school pest free.

Peter started working for OFNS back in 2018 as a Scratch Cooking Chef in the Bronx where he prepared quality, healthy, well-presented meals cooked from scratch. He helped build a robust recipe list where some recipes are still used today. He was recognized by the Tisch center through their research into the Scratch Cooking Program. Peter went on to join the Training Team in 2020 where he was able to use his skills to train new hires including managers, cooks, and school-based workers in the kitchen. He’s also worked on special projects including the Wellness in the Schools program (Wits), Cooking for Healthy Kids Alliance program (CIA) and helped build OFNS’ Halal Program. After his time in training, Peter joined the Operational Initiatives Unit helping to modernize the food service lines and dining areas. His work also included working with school administrations, PTA’s, SGA’s and outside community leaders to ensure we were meeting the needs of the school.

Elaine Diggs has had an exemplary career with OFNS starting in 1990 as a School Lunch Helper. Her outstanding achievements have led her to her current role as Operations Manager. Elaine performs her job with a stellar work ethic. Her ability to motivate and inspire her colleagues is an inspiration to everyone. Elaine maintains a positive outlook even under stressful situations which allows her to overcome any challenge. She is always helping her fellow team members develop their skillsets to ensure they are supporting the organization to reach its goals in providing healthy nutritious meals to our students. Her hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated.