Nominations are open for Basic American Foods FAME Awards

Basic American Foods has announced the 2025 Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards are accepting nominations from now until Sept. 13. For more than 35 years, this awards program has spotlighted school nutrition professionals who are defining excellence in every aspect of school foodservice achievement and leadership. The 36th awards ceremony will be held in January in Phoenix, during the School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC).

The criteria is defined as K-12 industry innovators and leaders who “educate, inspire and motivate their staffs, communities and the students they feed.”

To be eligible, nominees must be members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and in good standing with the industry. Four categories will be awarded, including one Gold Award for Golden Director and three Silver Awards: Leadership, Rising Star and Spirit. The selection committee is made up of the previous year’s FAME award winners, the SNA President and industry media partners. Find the nomination form here

The 2024 winners of the FAME Awards include Director of Nutrition Services Julie Telesca of Grapevine-Colleyville (Texas) ISD, who won the Golden Director Award for her work, including fixing the budget, creating a cooking class for students, implementing a plant-based menu, staff training videos and more. Read more about Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, as FSD featured them as a Foodservice Operation of the Month. 

Other winners from the 2024 class: The Silver Leadership Award went to Director of School Nutrition Lauren Weyand, MDA, RD, of Craven County (NC) Schools, who raised breakfast participation significantly, finds new ways to make employees feel valued and fosters an atmosphere of enthusiasm. Foodservice Director Moss Crutchfield of Epping (NH) School District won the Silver Rising Star Award for his “Bob Ross” style of management, which includes embracing “happy accidents” to build a dynamic program. The Silver Spirit Award went to Foodservice Cooperative Manager Karyn Buckner of Region 8 ESC Co-Op in Pittsburg, Texas, who has been a champion of school foodservice for 23 years and is currently managing the procurement of 63 districts.