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by Adi Bryant

The first image that comes to mind when I think of a school cafeteria is a stern, Sloppy Joe-wielding lunch lady. Many of us are guilty of believing that the cafeterias of today are the same as when we were in school. This is not the case in Rockwall Independent School District (RISD) cafeterias. In fact, the men and women that serve our children every school day are a vital part of their education. Their compassion for students is evident when they learn 300 plus names in the first days of the school year.

Decades ago, cafeterias provided comfort food like meatloaf, stew and mashed potatoes. The nation’s food preferences have shifted towards more convenient and readily available choices. Recently, we have begun to see the effects of the high fat and high sodium foods our nation has consumed. Today, in RISD, the goal is to provide healthy meals that are appetizing to students, while changing the way they view food.

By introducing children to fresh fruits and vegetables, they learn healthy habits at an early age. The eating habits and nutritional information students learn while they are in school will make an impression on their food decisions as adults.

Director of Child Nutrition Julie Farris asks, "Do you remember algebra?" Then she adds, "Do you remember to eat?"

Without compromising the importance of algebra, her point is clear. RISD child nutrition workers understand the importance of providing a healthy meal while teaching the students what makes it healthy.

RISD welcomes four new cafeteria managers to its team for the 2008-2009 school year. Some have been with the child nutrition department for years while others are new to the district entirely. Sharon Shannon Elementary is proud to welcome Donna Potter as their cafeteria manager.

Donna has worked for five years in the RISD Child Nutrition Department. This will be her first year to serve as manager in the Sharon Shannon Elementary cafeteria. She is responsible for ordering food and supplies while making sure all cafeteria activities run smoothly.

Q & A

What is rewarding about serving in the child nutrition department?
I love the kids. I feel like they are my kids, all 458 of them, and I love to make sure they eat well. As long as they are at school, I know they will get a well-balanced breakfast and lunch and we never turn anyone away.

What do you hope children will do with the knowledge they learn in your care?
I hope the kids will learn to try new things while they are in our care. I can remember one child that grew to love spinach because of us and began to request it. Some of the parents ask us for recipes to get the kids to eat fruits and vegetables and I’m glad to share them. All of the students that come through our cafeteria know they must have fruits and vegetables on their tray. Hopefully, this is a habit that will stay with them as they grow.

What can parents do to promote healthy food choices at home?
Encourage children to try new things and be open to suggestions. We really try to present our food well. If it looks good, they will probably like it.

How have cafeterias changed since you were in school?
I remember the smell of homemade rolls in the cafeteria when I was young. Although I miss that smell, we no longer make them from scratch (small sigh of relief). Today, cafeterias follow state guidelines that make sure children receive proper nutrition and portions in a clean environment. These regulations are designed to urge kids to eat healthier.