Lexington District One Food Service wins three national awards

Lexington District One’s Food Service and Nutrition staff won not one, but three awards for excellence in social media marketing and nutrition standards.

The office received the 2017 USDA Turnip the Beet Award — Bronze Level. This award recognizes outstanding summer meal programs across the nation offering high-quality meals that are appetizing, appealing and nutritious.

Led by Field Supervisor Kathy S. Moss, six sites around the district offered a summer food program during summer 2017. This program ensures students with limited access to healthy food receive balanced meals even when school is out.

Marketing Coordinator Ashley H. Summers received the 2018 Best Practice Award for “Use of Social Marketing for School Nutrition Programs.” A recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Lexington District One won the Southeast region for best social media posts.

The district also won the 2018 School Breakfast Week Contest, sponsored by the School Nutrition Association and Kellogg’s. As one of eight grand prize winners, Director of Food Service and Nutrition Sally B. Nicholson received a complimentary registration to attend SNA’s annual conference.

A panel of six judges, three on behalf of SNA and three on behalf of Kellogg’s, selected the eight winners from 124 contest entries. They judged entries submitted during National School Breakfast Week on creativity and originality, as well as enthusiasm and encouragement for school breakfast participation.

All entries included photographs and/or video, plus a 500-word description that demonstrated how the social media interaction increased school breakfast participation.