The School Nutrition Association has designated May 7 as School Lunch Hero Day. It’s an opportunity to recognize the hard-working employees who prepare healthy meals for students.

The TSC Nutrition Services has about 100 employees, who not only prepare breakfast and lunch for students, they also make sure schools adhere to strict nutrition standards and navigate student food allergies. The district serves about 8,300 lunches a day and more than 2,000 breakfasts a day.

Director Lori Shofroth Cords says the pandemic presented many challenges because of the fluctuating numbers of meals needed to be served because of students and staff members being placed on quarantine, as well as working out logistics to get meals to virtual students and during remote learning. 

“Our staff is super passionate about serving our students,” says Shofroth Cords. “They have been flexible and dependable to make sure students are served. They were on the frontline when most places were on lockdown.” 

Jodie Lacey, manager at the Wyandotte Elementary School Cafeteria, says employees stepped up to numerous challenges during the pandemic to make sure children had food. 

“There are so many positive things to remember: smiling, waving kids and handing us thank you notes through the car window,” says Lacey. “We love the children like they are our own. We know their names, if they are having an off day, and when it’s safe, we’ll give them lots of hugs.”

If you are interested in being a School Lunch Hero, learn more about employment opportunities here.