May 5th, 2023 is School Lunch Hero Day! This wonderful day is recognized annually on the first Friday in May, and it is an opportunity to celebrate the hardworking cafeteria staff who prepare and serve nutritious daily meals to millions of students.
In Virginia, there are thousands of cafeteria workers who go above and beyond, navigating challenges like supply chain shortages to staffing vacancies, to ensure that students have access to the fuel they need to thrive.
All school nutrition staff deserve to be celebrated on School Lunch Hero Day. Read on to learn more about 8 nutrition teams from across the Commonwealth who exemplify the resilience, dedication, and love that are hallmarks of this profession.
Region 1 – Beulah Elementary School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
- This incredible team at Beulah Elementary works closely with their principal, Dr. Christina Allen-Roach, to connect kids with delicious meals. The Beulah team members are more than school nutrition employees, they are role models who provide encouragement to the students they feed by uplifting them with positivity and love every single day.
Region 2 – Northampton High School, Northampton County Public Schools
- Scratch-made rolls and smiles are on the menu at Northampton High, despite navigating a few staff vacancies. This creative and flexible team connects students with the nutrition they need to succeed in the classroom, on the field, and into the future.
Region 3 – King William High School, King William County Public Schools
- The team at King William High is serving up tasty meals, boisterous laughs, and fun decorations for their students each day. Paired with a fresh and tasty meal, this positive and welcoming environment helps to brighten students’ days.
Region 4 – Claude Thompson Elementary School, Fauquier County Public Schools
- Students at Claude Thompson Elementary come through the line and are greeted by name each day. If a student is feeling shy or looking for a friend, they can take a ‘buddy’ (stuffed animal) to enjoy their delicious lunch filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Region 5 – Rockfish River Elementary School, Nelson County Public Schools
- ‘Taste Test Tuesdays’, visiting dairy cows, and fun costumes are the norm for students at Rockfish River Elementary. This team even hosted an Easter Egg dying event this year which included a special visit from the Easter Bunny!
Region 6 – Patrick County High School, Patrick County Public Schools
- The Patrick County High team is ready to jump any hurdle to get breakfast and lunch to busy students. They work hard to make sure that no student is missing breakfast, and the team even finds time to work with the guidance counselor to get gifts for students during the holidays.
Region 7 – Hurley Elementary Middle School, Buchanan County Public Schools
- The school nutrition team at Hurley Elementary is committed to supporting their kids beyond the walls of the cafeteria – whether it’s working in the school garden, decorating for events, or even providing prom dresses for students.
Region 8 – E.W. Wyatt Middle School, Greensville County Public Schools
- The E.W. Wyatt team has displayed remarkable resilience and dedication to continuous learning and improvement despite facing significant challenges over the past few years. Their hard work is paying off: the results include increased meal participation and improved morale.
To our readers: please thank the cafeteria team in your community. You can follow along with us on social media @NoKidHungryVA on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about their important work.
To all our school lunch heroes: THANK YOU for your commitment to student well-being and academic success. Your work is helping to make “No Kid Hungry” a reality!