The end of the year is coming up and with that comes celebrations, graduations and vacations! For all of us in Child Nutrition it also brings our “School Lunch Hero Day” on May 2nd. It is the day where we thank our Child Nutrition Cooks and Workers for their hard work, dedication and creativity while keeping our students nourished and excited about their food on campus. This year I asked different members of my management team and staff to nominate their peers so that I could share not only what I see but what everyone notices while they are working side by side at our different sites. Please take a moment and enjoy a couple spotlights about these special individuals below. 

First out of the gate is Cynthia Melendez - her name was brought up multiple times and with good reason. Cynthia keeps our warehouse and orders rolling at all times making sure that all of our vendors and menus match up and that we can be successful with the huge goals we set this year. She helps plan menus, attends food shows and strives to bring in the freshest items she can find, as well as the most local. All of this while being a student herself and keeping up with her two students within Orcutt Union. We couldn’t do it without you Cynthia, thank you for always striving to keep our students thriving!

Next up is our “School Lunch Hero” apron recipient Rebecca Benavidez that proudly cooks for Patterson Elementary. Rebecca meets every menu change with a smile while dealing with staffing shortages in her kitchen amongst always increasing participation. Rebecca is a master at bringing a smile to the students faces, cooking special meals for allergy challenges and always giving us a laugh with her sense of humor. The excellence in Rebecca’s work shines through and we appreciate her every day!

Another spotlight cook is Kristen Woo that heads up the team at Orcutt Academy High School. Kristen is constantly looking for ways to make service quicker at the high school so the students have more social time but she never lets the quality of her food suffer, her kitchen puts out the very best. Students have said that they feel like they are eating at a restaurant and are continually telling me how much they appreciate what the OAHS team does for them. Kristen is a prime example of excellence within our community and how confidence in your work shines onto our students!

Shannon Thompson from our Lakeview Hr. High Crew is the last lunch hero cook we will be featuring. Shannon has overcome a lot of challenges this year and always done it with enthusiasm and a smile. The participation numbers have skyrocketed at Lakeview this year since the opening of the cafeteria and the student feedback has been incredible. Shannon and her team also let me take over their kitchen and make messes whenever I want to try a new recipe - that sure isn’t for the faint of heart. Through adversity and multiple challenges Shannon found a way to shine through it all and it was noticed by all!

Every single nomination above was brought to me by other people within my department and I thought long and hard about nominating some of my own but I am proud of each and every person in Child Nutrition. Please remember that this is just a snapshot of our department, each and every one of our department members is special and I appreciate them all, if you get a chance this week or anytime please drop them a line or stop by and let them know how much you appreciate them as well! 

 

What I want to shed a light on are the new people in our department this year! Gil Cabrera (warehouse), Loriann Cossa (Lakeview), Taylor Estes (Olga Reed), Lillian Joyce (Pine Grove), Christian Kelly (Orcutt Junior High), Johnny Mitchell (Pine Grove), Diana Miller (Nightingale), Lindsey Welbaum (Patterson), Amanda Duff (Sub), Christina Giddings (Sub) and Patti Murphy (Sub) - have all joined our team since the fall and are all wonderful additions to our program. The rest of our team has done a great job training and creating lasting relationships with these new faces and that is what makes them all heroes! 

As the new motto for the district states, we are where excellence shines and community thrives, and I get to be a part of that with my entire team of School Lunch Heroes every day. I hope you all appreciate them as much as I do! 

Christy Wineman, Director of Child Nutrition

Have you ever noticed how a short walk can turn your whole day around? This month, let's shift gears from our usual topics of food and nutrition and explore something equally important and one of my personal favorites - physical activity. You're likely familiar with the physical benefits of exercise, but did you know it can also help you feel better right away?

Physical activity triggers the release of “feel-good” brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which help regulate your mood, sleep, and appetite. It also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and boosts growth factors that support brain health, creating new neural connections. There's no better time to highlight this connection between physical activity and mental health than now, as May happens to be both Mental Health Awareness Month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Recent statistics reveal a concerning picture. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults and adolescents (ages 12-17) experience mental health challenges. The picture gets even more troubling when we look at the limited access to mental health care, with a ratio of 350 people per one mental health provider in many areas.

This perspective makes our focus on physical activity even more relevant. Exercise is one of the most accessible tools we have to support mental wellness, regardless of where we live or what resources are available to us. And here’s the good news, you don't need to train for a marathon to experience mental health benefits. Research shows that even a modest increase in physical activity, equivalent to about 1.25 hours of brisk walking per week (that's just about 10-15 min per day), can lower risk of depression by almost 20% compared to not being active at all.

On those days when you are feeling a little blue, remember to add some movement to your day and watch how quickly your mood can shift. Your body and your mind will thank you!

Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

Marianne Heuchert, Office Manager, Editor

(805)938-8926

Cynthia Melendez, Assistant Office Manager

(805)938-8924

Dmitriy Tsoy , Nutrition Coordinator-Registered Dietician

(805)938-8983

Christy Wineman, Director

(805)938-8925