{"id":14984,"date":"2025-11-25T18:38:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/new-york\/?p=14984"},"modified":"2025-11-25T18:38:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:38:39","slug":"giving-thanks-for-the-heart-and-hard-work-behind-summer-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/new-york\/giving-thanks-for-the-heart-and-hard-work-behind-summer-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Thanks for the Heart and Hard Work Behind Summer Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”14990″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As Thanksgiving nears, I\u2019m filled with gratitude for the <\/span>dedication, creativity, and heart<\/b> shown by school nutrition professionals and community partners across New York this past summer. Your work made sure kids had access to healthy meals \u2014 and a sense of care and connection that reached far beyond the cafeteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m grateful for the <\/span>innovation<\/b> I saw throughout the summer: programs shifting to bulk pick-ups, adding scratch-made favorites, trying new delivery models, and finding ways to make things easier for families. These changes not only met families where they were, but also brought staff together and created moments of connection that lasted long after summer ended.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m grateful for the <\/span>perseverance<\/b> that carried programs through tough days \u2014 navigating high demand, adjusting routes, and finding creative ways to include fresh, local food. Whether refining systems or reshaping service to make families feel welcome, your dedication showed just how much care goes into every meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m grateful for the <\/span>community spirit <\/b>that shone through in every visit and every story you shared. From personally checking in with families to building partnerships that connected them with additional resources, each example reflected the deep commitment you bring to your communities every single day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the ever-changing challenges \u2014 storage, transportation, rising costs, and more \u2014 this season reminds me how much we can achieve when we work together with a shared purpose. I am thankful for every school nutrition professional, volunteer, and community partner who helped make this summer one of nourishment, care, and connection. Your work didn\u2019t just fill plates \u2014 it filled hearts<\/strong>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”14988″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14984","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-blog"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGiving Thanks for the Heart and Hard Work Behind Summer Meals - 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