Teams Serving up Happy and Healthy across the
Country Honored for
National School Lunch Hero
Day
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Don an apron and grab a tray, School Lunch Hero Day
is on the way! From dishing out tasty meals and brightening
lunchrooms with friendly smiles to encouraging healthy habits and
helping their communities, dedicated lunch ladies and men show
their superpowers as true heroes inside and outside of the
cafeteria.
This Friday, May 3rd, Chartwells
K12 celebrates National School Lunch Hero Day to recognize its
16,000 chefs, dietitians, and food service workers serving up 2
million meals a day and making the cafeteria the happiest place in
school. To mark the national celebration and as a tribute to their
dedication, Chartwells is letting every associate know they're the
"zest" with special edition t-shirts and local celebrations at
their schools.
"Every day, our School Lunch Heroes exceed expectations, making
a positive difference in the lives of students, families, and
communities," said Amy Shaffer, CEO
of Chartwells K12. "It's inspiring how many of our associates grew
up attending the schools we serve, and now dedicate their careers
to not only create happier and healthier cafeterias, but happier
and healthier communities."
The superpowers of School Lunch Heroes extend far beyond the
cafeteria, with highlights of these efforts including:
- Harrison Community Schools, MI: No matter where you look
in Clare County, chances are you'll find the Chartwells team making
an impact. Whether adopting a stretch of the local highway to keep
the community clean, raising donations for local non-profits, or
volunteering at the food bank, they're dedicated to making the
community a better place.
- Norwalk Public Schools, CT: Each week the Chartwells
team at Norwalk Public Schools participates in a "Jeans Friday"
donation drive to purchase food for the local Open Doors shelter to
help feed the community. They don't stop there as Chartwells chefs
prepare ready-to-eat meals for the shelter and volunteer to help
serve on weekends.
- Red Bank Borough Public Schools, NJ: Earlier this school
year, the team joined the Red Bank Borough Community Wellness Fair
to showcase healthy eating for kids, families, and the entire
community. The Chartwells team presented a Discovery Kitchen chef
demonstration highlighting fresh, locally grown fruits and
vegetables to create a Kale and Cranberry Salad, with families
receiving the recipe and ingredients to take and make at home.
- Spartanburg Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 & 7, SC: From
hosting monthly showcases at the Hub City Farmers Market to
partnering with Spartanburg Regional Health System to host the
Cooking Up Confidence summer culinary camp for kids, the
Spartanburg Chartwells teams take every opportunity to bring
nutrition education to the community.
Now in its 12th year, School Lunch Hero Day is a national
program that recognizes school nutrition professionals for the
amazing work they do to ensure students across the country are
well-fed every day. It was founded by Jarrett J. Krosoczka in 2013 and is celebrated
on the first Friday of May each year. Krosoczka is also the author
of the acclaimed Lunch Lady book series, chronicling the exciting
adventures of the heroic Lunch Lady.
About Chartwells K12
Chartwells K12's goal is to make
sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they
came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom
dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools,
ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private
schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education, and
operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness,
and sustainability talent. For more information, visit
www.ChartwellsK12.com.
Media Contact: Jonathan
Squibb, Director of Communications,
jonathan.squibb@compass-usa.com
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SOURCE Chartwells K12