Sorgho Elementary School cafeteria manager Heather Haynes has been named one of three finalists in the School Nutrition Association’s 2019 Legislative Action Conference Sweepstakes.
School nutrition professionals across the country submitted videos describing the benefits of a healthy school lunch. Video content included such areas as:
- Talking about how school meals are nutritionally balanced while filming the healthy options available in the cafeteria.
- Discussing the financial needs of students in the school community and how school meals ensure those children have the nutrition they need to succeed.
- Filming a principal talking about how school meals are an important part of the school day.
- Asking a student about trying a new fruit or vegetable for the first time at school.
- Featuring a student talking about what school meals mean to them.
- Asking a teacher to discuss how your school breakfast program is keeping students more alert in class.
A panel of judges determined the finalists that best illustrated the ideals of school nutrition.
SNA members will vote from Nov. 26-30. The winner will be notified in early December and will be invited to attend the national SNA’s LAC conference in Washington, D.C.
Haynes, an enthusiastic advocate of the school breakfast and lunch program, said it is a tremendous honor to be selected as a finalist. “My hope while making this video was to show that school lunch isn’t just about serving food,” Haynes said. “For the ladies that serve breakfast and lunch every day, it’s about loving on the children and making a positive impact! We have the opportunity to greet every child, every day. We are one of the few who get that opportunity. Giving students a delicious food, a hug, and a fun place to be means a lot to the kids and it helps them go back to class more focused because we’ve done our part to fill their bellies!”
DCPS food services director Lisa Sims said, “Heather is a new to the school nutrition team but that has not stopped her in making this career the best ever! She is always looking for ways to make school meals fun, exciting and informative for our students. We are glad to have her as part of our Daviess County management team.
Heather Haynes’ video may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/tWHiWo4OqlA