Kiski Area schools receive food service award from Pittsburgh Food Bank

The lunch ladies at Kiski Area School District are serving up more than just healthy meals.

The Kiski Area School District food service department was recognized recently for its efforts in child food-related programs.

The department of about 50 employees received a 2021 Child Hunger Hero Award from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank last month for its efforts in making outstanding contributions to increasing food access for children in the district.

The district received a silver-level award, which indicates exceptional service. It’s the first time the district has received the award.

Among Alle-Kiski Valley schools, Deer Lakes School District also received the silver level of the Child Hunger Hero Award and Freeport Area School District received a bronze-level award.

Public and private school districts in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset and Washington counties were eligible.

Food service administrative assistant Joy Spagnola said the award is appreciated.

“It’s wonderful to know that all the efforts our staff puts in to make sure the students of our district are fed are being noticed, especially with all the changes that had to be made due to the pandemic,” Spagnola said.

Spagnola said students pitched in during the pandemic by serving themselves and dealing with food shortages. Staff had to individually package numerous food and utensils.

Kiski Area Food Service Director Allison Douglas is responsible for managing daily school menus and operations for more than 3,400 students enrolled in the district.

During the school year, her department has served more than 99,500 breakfasts and 213,000 lunches during three lunch periods at the high school and two lunch sessions at the secondary level.

Douglas said the program was evaluated by the food bank, based on programs that addressed food insecurity during the summer of 2021 and the 2021-22 school year.

“We’re proud and excited to have our food service staff recognized for all of their efforts and hard work throughout the school year,” Douglas said. “Closing the meal gap would be impossible to achieve without this outstanding group of employees.”

About 45% of students in the district qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Douglas said contributing factors to winning the award are sponsoring a districtwide summer food service program, operating alternative breakfast models, offering free meals through their Community Eligibility Provision program, offering nutrition education to students, and participating in a fresh fruit and vegetable program.