Essex Westford School District Child Nutrition Team
Child nutrition advocates celebrate the year-round efforts of school nutrition professionals
Vermont Business Magazine In celebration of School Lunch Hero Day, the School Nutrition Association of Vermont and Hunger Free Vermont recognize the dedication, creativity and outstanding service of school nutrition professionals who ensure that Vermont students receive nutritious, healthy meals every day. As part of a national celebration, Vermont’s Essex Westford School District has received the School Nutrition Program of the Year Award.
Newly established in 2024, the annual School Nutrition Program of the Year Award recognizes the Essex Westford School District for distinguishing itself with a spirit of excellence among the community of school nutrition programs in Vermont. This year the Essex Westford School District Child Nutrition Program is applauded for increasing its student lunch participation by 64 percent and doubling breakfast participation rates.
“Our Child Nutrition Team has worked collaboratively to meet goals like more from scratch cooking served hot and fresh, increased local purchasing with a focus on whole foods, and bringing real equity into our school cafeterias,” said Scott Fay, Director of Food Services for the Essex Westford School District. “Universal School Meals has allowed us to focus on providing quality meals and excellent service to students, building bridges between schools and families in need rather than creating barriers. We take great pride in seeing our participation rates and number of meals served among the highest in the state.”
School Lunch Hero Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the massive efforts of school nutrition professionals across the country who are committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals to make a positive impact on the students they serve. In addition to the Essex Westford School District, seven individual school nutrition professionals in Vermont will receive awards from the School Nutrition Association of Vermont for outstanding achievements:
- Vermont School Nutrition Director of the Year: Karyl Kent, Lamoille North School District
- School Nutrition Leadership Award: Nina Hansen, The Abbey Group
- Hunger Free VT Innovation & Advocacy Award: Jacob Gallogly, West River Education District
- Serving Up Excellence Award: Deborah Breault, SOAR Learning Center; Gena Callan, Christ the King School; Chelsea Tucker, Essex High School; and Sandi Lussier, Pownal Elementary
“Hunger Free Vermont celebrates the dedication and innovation of school nutrition programs across the state,” said Anore Horton, Executive Director. “From keeping kids fed through every phase of the pandemic to implementing Universal School Meals last year, school nutrition professionals have worked tirelessly to ensure that every student is fueled for success. Today and every day we are reminded of our gratitude for the dedicated individuals and teams who contribute to the success of Vermont children.”
In 2023, Vermont became the sixth state in the country to enact a permanent Universal School Meals program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students at school. This critical legislation is responsible for a 40 percent increase in school breakfast participation and a 29 percent increase in school lunch participation statewide. In addition, Universal School Meals has supported more than 200 Vermont schools in becoming eligible to offer free summer meals to children.
About School Nutrition Association of Vermont: The School Nutrition Association of Vermont (SNA-VT) is the professional organization of child nutrition leaders and staff in Vermont. SNA-VT is dedicated to elevating & advancing professionalism & leadership in the field and making high-quality, healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals or www.snavt.org.
About Hunger Free Vermont: Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide advocacy and education nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to develop permanent, systemic solutions to ending hunger in Vermont. Since 1993, Hunger Free Vermont’s outreach programs and advocacy work have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased statewide access to nutritious foods. Hunger Free Vermont was instrumental in implementing H.165 in 2023, making Vermont the sixth state in the country to enact a permanent Universal School Meals program. hungerfreevt.org
Source: SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., May 3, 2024 – Hunger Free Vermont
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