Richly FAMEous

The FAME award winners line up on stage during the awards ceremony at SNA’s recent Child Nutrition Industry Conference in Florida.

The stars of the K-12 segment were out in force at the 2010 FAME (Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence) Awards ceremony in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, last month during the School Nutrition Association (SNA) Child Nutrition Industry Conference.

The top honor, the Golden School Foodservice Director of the Year award, was presented to Karen Johnson, SNS, child nutrition director for the Yuma (AZ) Elementary School District. A former national SNA president, Johnson boosted breakfast participation in her district from 18 to 43 percent with her Free Breakfast Wednesday promotion, realigned operations to do more scratch cooking (she called it “go new school by going old school”) and changed recipes to incorporate more whole grains.

Mary Anderson, director of Culinary Express for the Wayzata (MN) Public Schools, walked off with the Silver Leadership Award, in part for her role in rebranding the program as Culinary Express, but also for her financial management acumen, implementing systems for inventory control and internet payment as well as a series of cafeteria equipment upgrades.

The Silver Spirit Award winner was Jacci Morrow, SNS, assistant director of child nutrition & food service programs for the Westminster (CA) School District. A tireless worker for nutrition education and meeting the needs of students with diet restrictions, she specializes in forging partnerships with public, private and local groups and individuals.

Harold Sullins, MBA, foodservice director for the Fontana (CA) USD won the Silver Rising Star Award. In his first year, he saved over $400,000 through improvements in competitive bidding and inventory control systems. He then used the savings for food court renovation projects to boost participation and customer satisfaction.

The Silver Special Achievement Award went to Lori Adkins, MS, SNS, CHE, nutrition supervisor for the West Bloomfield (MI) School District, who grew the lunch program by adding outside clients like local parochial schools and creating a special menu for teachers and staff. Her Breakfast in a Bag program boosted participation over 50 percent in one year.

Also honored were Gene White, president of the global Child Nutrition Foundation (Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award) and Gertrude Applebaum (Lifetime Achievement Award).

A former SNA president, state director and FSD during a 50-plus-year career in child nutrition, White now works to establish school nutrition programs around the world.

Applebaum, with over 60 years of service, was a pioneer in central production while director at the Corpus Christi (TX) ISD. She also participated in the first White House Conference on Food & Nutrition, held during the Nixon Administration.

The 2010 FAME competition was sponsored by Basic American Foods, Schwan's Food Services and Tyson Foods.

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To view a video clip of Gene White's remarks after receiving the FAME Silver Friend of Child Nutrition award, go to: food-management.com/video/0210-fame-friend