Kinsey tops FAME Awards

Joanne Kinsey, director of school nutrition services for the 40,000-student Chesapeake (Va.) Public Schools, was awarded the 2009 Golden School Foodservice Director of the Year Award from FAME (Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence). The award is given to the director who demonstrates outstanding achievement in leadership, spirit/dedication, innovation, career awards, management systems, humanitarianism/community involvement and bettering the lives of students.

Kinsey manages a $14-million foodservice budget. Since coming to the district in October 2006, Kinsey expanded the breakfast program to include breakfast in the classroom. She has also expanded the lunch program in the high schools by making the cafeterias into food courts, where every student, regardless of their payment status, can receive every menu option.

Others honored this year include: Stephanie Bruce, director of foodservice for the Chaffey Joint Union High School District in Ontario, Calif, with the Silver Leadership Award; Sally Spero, food planning supervisor for the San Diego Unified School District, with the Silver Spirit Award; Debra Amos, foodservice director for the Arcadia Unified School District, with the Silver Special Achievement Award; Jodi Risse, supervisor of food and nutrition services for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Md., with the Silver Rising Star Award; and Tracey Tinder, southwest region manager-education ConAgra Foods, with the Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award.

FAME’s yearly awards are presented to outstanding leaders, recognizing them for their achievement, innovation and service to the school foodservice industry. The recipients will be honored at the School Nutrition Association’s 2009 Child Nutrition Industry Conference Jan. 18 in New Orleans.