By Ashley Roudebush
No Kid Hungry New York joined the New York City Department of Education in presenting a Hunger Hero award to Valrie Baker, a cook at PS 83 in East Harlem, to celebrate National School Lunch Week.
National School Lunch Week is a week-long celebration hosted by the School Nutrition Association to recognize the critical role that school nutrition programs and their hardworking staff, like Valrie, play in supporting kids and ensuring they are healthy and ready to learn.
Valrie has been feeding kids in New York City Schools for 25 years and takes immense pride in how her works impacts these children. Together, she and her team provide 1,000 free meals per day.
“I do this because I love the kids,” Baker said. “Even if I take a day off, I’ll be thinking about, wonder if my kids eat today, if they get the proper meal. It’s a lot going through the mind. So to make myself happy, I’m here. If I’m here they’re going to eat.”
School lunch fills a critical gap in providing nutritious, affordable meals to kids throughout the country with so many benefits experienced in and out of the classroom.
“Kids couldn’t learn in class without cooks like Ms. Baker serving free, healthy lunches every single day,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York. “This National School Lunch Week, we’re honoring the everyday heroes across New York City public schools who provide the consistent nutrition kids need to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.
It’s been over 75 years since President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law, which paved the way for other child nutrition programs like school breakfast, afterschool and summer meals. As the past few years have shown, school nutrition programs are essential. They offer stability and certainty as children and families face instability and challenges.
To Valrie, and all school nutrition staff that work so hard to feed our kids, thank you and Happy National School Lunch Week. We recognize the challenges that are faced and the dedication it takes to ensure kids are healthy and nourished everyday. 