Laurens District 56 child nutrition director named state director of the year
October 19, 2026
Cindy Jacobs, director of child nutrition for Laurens County School District 56, has been named Director of the Year by the School Nutrition Association of South Carolina. The association announced the honor during its annual conference.
Jacobs has been an active member of the association for more than 30 years. In announcing the award, the association pointed to her strong work ethic, her passion for school nutrition and her talent for bringing people together. The organization also noted her commitment to working alongside industry partners to develop creative solutions that strengthen school nutrition programs throughout South Carolina.
Association leaders said what sets Jacobs apart most is the way she welcomes everyone she meets as if they were family, an approach that has helped her build lasting friendships and professional relationships across the state.
District 56 Superintendent David O’Shields said the recognition reflects what the district sees from Jacobs every day.
“Cindy has spent her career making sure our students have nutritious meals and a welcoming cafeteria to enjoy them in,” O’Shields said. “She understands that a child who is well fed is ready to learn, and she pours her heart into that mission. This statewide honor is a tribute to her leadership and to the dedicated child nutrition team she leads. We are incredibly proud that the rest of South Carolina now knows what we have known all along.”
The School Nutrition Association of South Carolina supports school nutrition professionals across the state through training, advocacy and professional development, with the goal of providing students with healthy, high quality meals.
Laurens County School District 56 serves students in Clinton and Joanna at Clinton High School, Clinton Middle School, Clinton Elementary School, Eastside Elementary School and Joanna-Woodson Elementary School.
