On behalf of the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the school nutrition professionals across our state. Through their extraordinary commitment and hard work, they ensure students have access to a nourishing, healthy school breakfast and lunch each instructional day. California’s school nutrition professionals are at the forefront of increasing scratch cooking, incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients into school meals, reducing reliance on ultra‑processed foods of concern, and ensuring students have access to flavorful, nutritious, and culturally inspired meals.
As State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond advances the 2026 Transformative Initiatives—with a statewide focus on addressing chronic absenteeism and improving academic achievement, school nutrition professionals remain essential to a child’s academic success and overall health and well‑being. Their efforts ensure students have consistent access to nutritious meals that support attendance, engagement, and overall wellness. Schools serving communities with higher household food insecurity experience higher rates of absenteeism, emphasizing the importance of reliable access to nutritious school meals. Nutrition professionals are instrumental in the Move the Needle Initiative for student achievement and success.
I encourage our school communities to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on Friday, May 1, 2026. School Lunch Hero Day is an opportunity to recognize and thank our nutrition professionals. Below are some ideas for how your schools can honor your School Lunch Heroes:
- Be Thankful: Encourage students to create a homemade thank‑you card or to write notes of appreciation to share with their school lunch heroes.
- Get Creative: Celebrate the day by creating posters or banners to display in common areas.
- Give Back: Show appreciation by letting students and teachers serve nutrition professionals a well‑deserved, fresh and delicious meal or snack.
- Share a Story: Have students and staff write or record short stories or testimonials about their favorite school lunch heroes, highlighting how these professionals make a difference in their lives. With permission, share these stories with the school community to inspire others.
- Share a Favorite Meal: Have students vote on their favorite school breakfast or lunch of the year then create a “Top 5 Favorites” poster highlighting the most beloved items for cafeteria display.
- Create a Hero Wall: Set up a wall of heroes where students can post cards, notes, or drawings of their favorite school lunch professionals.
- Create Hero Trading Cards: Design fun, baseball‑style trading cards for each nutrition staff member, including their name, favorite meal, a fun fact, and their “superpower” (e.g., bright smile or kindness during service).
- Host a Special Event: Organize a fun, themed event—such as a lunch with the heroes or a talent show—where school lunch professionals can showcase their talents or be recognized in front of students and staff.
For more information, visit the School Nutrition Association’s 2026 School Lunch Hero Day Campaign
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Thank you for the continued support of our school nutrition programs and the many professionals nourishing our students each and every school day. These heroes are vital to wellness and health of children. Their leadership in expanding scratch cooking, elevating meal quality, and strengthening student well-being contributes not only to the student’s success but to the school as a whole– reducing chronic absenteeism, improving academic achievement, and fostering positive school climates. By uplifting our School Lunch Heroes, we honor the essential work they do each school day to ensure every student is nourished, supported, and ready to learn.
Sincerely,
Kim Frinzell, Division Director
Nutrition Services Division
California Department of Education