Meet Five School Lunch Heroes Serving Up Food Justice on Every Tray
As we celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 2nd, we’re spotlighting five exceptional champions who are revolutionizing school nutrition programs while creating meaningful connections with the students they serve each day. Our grantee partners nominated these school lunch heroes from schools they work with to advance food justice for kids.
From sourcing Indigenous ingredients to increasing access through Healthy School Meals for All, these school nutrition professionals are transforming cafeterias across America into centers of nourishment, education, and community.
Francis Brown, Food Service Director, Nkwusm School (Montana)
Nominated by Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2024
Francis Brown serves as both mentor and leader at Nkwusm School, where he’s transformed the cafeteria with seasonal, Indigenous menus. Francis is continually teaching and learning, sharing his extensive knowledge through experiential learning opportunities that teach students traditional foodways. He also is a part of the Rural School Network, an initiative of Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger. After years of working in a makeshift kitchen at the back of a classroom, Francis finally moved into a new commercial kitchen this year! His reputation for exceptional food has spread so widely that even teens who don’t attend Nkwusm show up for lunch, a testament to his culinary skills and community impact.
Dre Maher, Food Services Coordinator, Nevada City School of the Arts (California)
Nominated by Center for Ecoliteracy, Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2024
What began in 2018 as a one-person operation serving 175 meals daily has blossomed into a vibrant food program under Dre Maher’s visionary leadership. Today, Dre serves 500 students creative, wholesome options like Curried Chicken Salad and award-winning Whole Wheat Penne Pasta. With 40% of ingredients sourced from California’s Sierra Foothills and 90% organic products, Dre has created a model program that extends beyond nutrition to include composting partnerships with local farmers. Recognizing the importance of systems change in school meals, she has also educated lawmakers at California State Capitol on the importance of Healthy School Meals for All.
Stacie Lee, Food Service Manager, Cheyenne Eagle Butte School (South Dakota)
Nominated by Intertribal Agriculture Council, Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2024
A 26-year veteran at Cheyenne Eagle Butte Schools, Stacie Lee recently partnered with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to launch “Supper 4 Students,” offering a third daily meal incorporating traditional Lakota foods like local buffalo. Overseeing a staff of 10, Stacie feeds approximately 1,200 K-12 students five days a week. Her dedication extends beyond meal service; she also she writes grants, runs a backpack program, and hosts holiday dinners that strengthen community bonds while honoring cultural food traditions.
Cindy Culver, Director of School Nutrition, Marietta City Schools (Georgia)
Nominated by Georgia Organics, Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2022
Cindy is a passionate and reliable partner in all things Farm to School (F2S) in Marietta City Schools. Cindy played an integral role in the ACRE Collective Local Foods Incentive School Pilot, working alongside Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner Georgia Organics. Cindy’s efforts help to increase local foods into Marietta City Schools, and she works tirelessly to make fresh, sustainable options a reality for students. Her lived experience adds a powerful lens to her work, allowing her to thoughtfully elevate equity in everything she does. Cindy’s contributions have not only advanced the collective F2S goals in Georgia, but have also made them more inclusive and community-centered.
Ashley Carl, RDN, Director of Food Services, Plainville Community Schools (Connecticut)
Nominated by End Hunger Connecticut!, Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2012
Ashley’s heart for students experiencing food insecurity inspired her to become a passionate voice for School Meals for All in Connecticut. She organized students, teachers, and administrators to share their experiences with legislators, hosted a successful School Breakfast at the Capitol that gained significant recognition, and facilitated meetings with the Governor of Connecticut to discuss school nutrition needs. Ashley regularly invites lawmakers to dine in her schools to experience first-hand the importance of school meal programs. As a leader within the School Nutrition Association’s Policy Committee and one of the “Great Minds” supporting healthy school meals for all, Ashley simultaneously champions Farm to School initiatives while ensuring frontline staff receive recognition for their essential work.
