School Nutrition Association Announces National Award Winners

The national, non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) has named Christine Edelstein-Dodds, assistant cook at Vincent Igo Elementary School in Foxborough Public Schools, MA, the National Employee of the Year. The award recognizes the valuable contribution of school nutrition employees, ones who exhibit a remarkable commitment to both their school meal program and the students they serve. During the pandemic, food service employees were the first ones to move from the serving line to the front lines and have been instrumental in maintaining a sense of normalcy for school meal programs.

Edelstein-Dodds greets students by name with her bright and happy smile. She fosters a safe environment for students that parents can trust, anticipating special needs and communicating about specific allergies with the kitchen manager, lunch monitors and school nurse. Edelstein-Dodds makes sure fruit and vegetable options are always available for students to eat and enjoy, even catering to her pickiest eaters to ensure they’re well nourished. She is known for her theme day costumes, novelty socks and facemasks, and often writes whimsical and positive messages on fruit, much to the delight of students. She connects with students outside the cafeteria as well, whether as mystery reader during Reading Week events or in her former role as a youth soccer coach.

Understanding the importance of promoting the district’s school meal program, Edelstein-Dodds frequently contributes content for the Foxborough Nutrition social media page.

Edelstein-Dodds takes full advantage of available training and learning opportunities, continuously exceeding the required amount of annual training hours. Her supervisors say that she consistently applies new things she’s learned at training to her job. She brings valuable feedback, practical input and good suggestions to meetings and always strives to help. Edelstein-Dodds has participated in the SNA Mass Walk for Hunger team and is a positive role model of wellness, regularly running in 5Ks and rarely taking sick time.

“Christine Edelstein-Dodds has built a great relationship with students and her colleagues,” said SNA President Reginald Ross, SNS. “Her positive attitude, love of learning and regular acts of kindness in the cafeteria make her an inspiring Employee of the Year.”

The Employee of the Year Award was created to recognize outstanding school nutrition employees who influence the quality of school meals through customer service, an interest in young people, cooperation, work attendance, creativity, participation in professional development and their willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

On May 5, 2021, Edelstein-Dodds was honored during the first-ever “Our Heroes: Celebrating the 2021 SNA Award Winners” virtual event. Nominees, nominators, state leaders, Board of Directors, Leadership Development Committee and Back to School Summit attendees celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s SNA award winners.

About School Nutrition Association:

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.