Welcome back to our blog series, the No Kid Hungry New York Partner Spotlight. Each month, we’ll be speaking to our partners across the state, learning what’s new in their school meals programs, and celebrating the tremendous work they do to ensure that more kids have access to the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive. This month, we heard from Deb Mackey at Hoosic Valley Central School District, serving three towns (Schaghticoke, Pittstown, and Hoosick) in the Capital region.
Can you describe your community and school district? What do you love about where you live and work?
Hoosic Valley CSD is a small rural district with about 900 students PreK – 12. It is a very tight knit community with support and involvement from families and the community as a whole. The staff here continually strives to engage students and to foster strong bonds. Everyone is willing to participate and promote the food service related events we hold. We are recognized and acknowledged for our commitment and dedication to feed all students. We offer the highest quality products made with love! Our goal is to provide total customer satisfaction and to increase our participation.
What are some of the challenges you’re facing right now in your school meals program?
We have been introducing new items each month in an effort to increase participation. Getting students to try something new is challenging in the elementary school….. buy once they try and they see that they like a new menu item, it’s a win-win for us all.
What’s new in breakfast in your school meals program this year?
in our elementary building we are offering a grab ‘n’ go option each day in addition to our hot menu items. We have increased our variety and are offering more scratch prepared meals. We offer a variety of juices, as well as fresh and canned fruit options. We have incorporated more protein options at breakfast, such as fruit and yogurt parfaits with granola and omelets. Student participation has grown consistently. In our Junior-Senior High building, we have recently started offering a 2nd chance breakfast and we are feeding an additional 50 – 60 students each morning. A huge jump for a small district!
What about your breakfast program are you particularly proud of?
We are most proud of our dedication to feed every student. We have so many options that there should be no reason any student would not take advantage of something to start their day. We have been diligent in communicating and marketing to our families. We also make sure that we have smiling faces and kind words as our students come through the cafe line. We are cognizant that we could be the start to a great day for all our students.
What keeps you motivated to do this work?
Every day we see a new face or witness a student trying a new item is the impetus to keep coming back! We host monthly Golden Tray awards and seeing those chosen students light up and shine when receiving our recognition is just so heartwarming.
At No Kid Hungry New York, we thank Deb and the food service staff members at Hoosic Valley Central School District for their dedication and enthusiasm in feeding kids throughout the school year. We’re grateful to support their work and honored to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary programs!
