School Nutrition Association names its 2023 Lunch Hero award winners

In celebration of School Lunch Hero Day, which takes place on May 5, the School Nutrition Association has announced its 2023 National School Lunch Hero award recipients. 

Here’s a look at this year’s winners and why they were selected, according to the SNA. 

Employee of the Year Award 

Connie Kingsley
Inventory Specialist 
Lee’s Summit R-7 School District 
Kansas City, Mo.

Kingsley came out of retirement to help the district when it needed an extra pair of hands in the nutrition services office. Drawing on her experience as a former school nutrition manager, she works closely with the district warehouse crew to make sure produce levels and inventory are correct, items are rotated and orders are pulled accurately. She is known for being organized, efficient and dependable, and has ensured the district receives proper credit for thousands of dollars owed from distributors. 

In addition to her role as inventory specialist, Kinglsey acts as the nutrition department representative for the district’s Employee Wellness Program. She shares important health insurance information and wellness challenges with her coworkers and encourages them to take care of themselves so they can better support students. 

Manager of the Year Award

Cecelia Ann Araiza
Manager
Madison Park Middle School 
Phoenix 

Araiza has been employed at Madison School District for over 20 years. In her time at the district, she’s worked to create a positive environment in the cafeteria and kitchen for students and staff. Through Araiza’s dedication to farm-to-school, students have learned about locally grown produce, attended farmers markets and adopted a calf through a dairy education program. 

In addition, Araiza helps with a variety of school nutrition programming. She teaches nutrition education classes, cooking lessons and runs a successful after-school culinary club for students. She has also taken management and conflict-resolution classes to improve her own leadership skills and shares what she’s learned with coworkers. 

Director of the Year Award

Patsi Gregory 
School Nutrition Program Supervisor 
Robertson County Schools
Springfield, Tenn.

Gregory has raised meal participation at Robertson County and put the district in better financial standing. When she first came to Robertson, each school was creating separate menus and purchasing ingredients of a different quality. Gregory developed district-wide cycle menus, evened out staffing and provided additional staff training. These changes led to an 28% increase in meal participation and helped the district go from having zero fund balance to maintaining the recommended three months emergency fund. This also resulted in higher pay and expanded insurance benefits for staff. 

Gregory has also helped improve morale by establishing a new payscale that compensates long-term employees and recognizes the value of workers with commercial foodservice experience.

Knowing that many households in the district don’t have access to high-quality internet to view menus, Gregory mails a newsletter each month with menus as well as educational activities for students, parents and guardians. She has also created a Facebook page to increase the nutrition program’s visibility in the community.