“Lunch Lady To Child Nutrition Professional?”

What do you think of when you hear the term “lunch lady”? Do you envision Adam Sandlers’ version of an older, overweight woman wearing a hairnet slinging out mystery meat? Or a child nutrition professional who just happens to be a trained chef preparing healthy, fresh meals for their students? While I am sure that the old “lunch lady” image still exists today in the United States, a new breed of “lunch lady” is making an entrance, and she isn’t always a “she”. Men and women who are highly educated and often trained chefs are entering this sector of food service and with them comes their skill, knowledge and passion for food. Many school districts recognize the value of employing highly trained professionals to work in their kitchens , especially with programs like Farm to School and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable programs currently being offered across the country. Our local schools are serving freshly prepared meals that consist of salads containing baby spinach, arugula and romaine, and vegetable dishes like ratatouille. Our local School Nutrition Association members are highly trained, dedicated professionals who serve in this capacity because of their passion to feed our students. So next time you think of the “Lunch Lady” think of a highly trained individual who is working hard to feed America’s children.