BOISE, ID – Idaho schools participating in the National School Lunch Program will have the opportunity to celebrate the child nutrition heroes who keep their school communities fed, healthy and ready to learn with the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) National School Lunch Hero Day on Friday, May 2.

School lunch heroes are hard at work in Idaho schools daily, preparing healthy meals for students while maintaining strict nutrition standards, keeping student preferences in mind and more. The annual observance is a chance to showcase the difference these valued professionals make in our educational communities. Schools are encouraged to take part by celebrating and submitting pictures to the Idaho Department of Education to post to the Child Nutrition Programs webpage and on department social media channels.

“As many of us as adults can now attest from our own experiences as students, school lunch staff members do more than just serve healthy, delicious meals during the school day,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “These valued members of a school community connect with students by being a friendly face and trusted resource who kids can rely on. They are truly school lunch heroes and they deserve to be celebrated.”

Schools looking to get involved can celebrate in some of the following ways:

• Make Friday, May 2 and official day of celebration on school calendars and spread the word
• Create and hang signs around the school celebrating school nutrition staff
• Surprise teams with cafeteria decorations, gifts and more
• Create a social media shoutout to the team or team members, and share what makes them an integral part of the school community

School Lunch Hero Day was established in 2013 as a collaborative effort between the SNA and children’s book author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who published the “Lunch Ladies” series of books about a cafeteria professional who also happens to be a crime-fighting spy. Krosoczka was inspired to honor foodservice employees after returning to his old school and finding his childhood lunch lady remained and remembered him.

Schools interested in having their celebrations shared on the Idaho Department of Education’s website and social media platforms can submit photos to jcleary@sde.idaho.gov. Please direct questions to Child Nutrition Programs Director Lynda Westphal at ljwestphal@sde.idaho.gov.

Learn more about National School Lunch Hero Day celebrations at Ways to Celebrate SLHD on the School Nutrition Association’s website.