In recognition of National School Lunch Week, October 12–16, 2026, Hershey Public Schools is proud to celebrate the dedicated individuals who help fuel our students' success each day—our outstanding OPAA! Food Management team and the many individuals who help make our school nutrition program successful!
Every school day, our OPAA! staff members do much more than prepare and serve breakfast and lunch. They help create a welcoming environment where students feel valued, cared for, and connected to their school community.
At Hershey Public Schools, it's truly service with a smile!
Whether it's greeting students by name, sharing a joke as they make their way through the lunch line, remembering a student's favorite meal, or simply offering a few encouraging words, our kitchen staff go above and beyond to make mealtime a positive experience.
It's the little things that make a big difference. Our OPAA! team takes the time to build relationships with students, learning their personalities, recognizing their preferences, and making each child feel welcome. For many students, those daily interactions are something they look forward to just as much as the meal itself!
Students Show Their Appreciation
To help celebrate National School Lunch Week, students throughout Hershey Public Schools were encouraged to show their appreciation by creating handmade cards, designing posters, and sharing messages of thanks with our food service staff.
These thoughtful gestures provided an opportunity for students to recognize the individuals who work so hard to make their school days a little brighter. It was also a wonderful reminder that kindness and appreciation go a long way in building a positive school culture.
Recognizing Our Incredible Kitchen Staff
Behind the scenes, our food service team works tirelessly to prepare nutritious meals, maintain a clean and organized kitchen, and ensure hundreds of students are served efficiently each day. Their teamwork, patience, flexibility, and positive attitudes help keep our school days running smoothly.
We are especially grateful for our dedicated OPAA! kitchen staff:
Kristina Colson – Kitchen Manager
Michele Kivett
Maria Houser
Lavenda "Vinny" Knaub
Karen Ditch
Amanda Spurling
Robert Zsitkovsky – Director of Nutrition Services (DNS)
Each of these individuals plays an important role in creating the positive, welcoming atmosphere that makes Hershey Public Schools special. Their dedication to serving our students, often beginning long before the first student enters the cafeteria, is something we greatly appreciate.
A Special Shoutout to Our Lunch Account Managers!
While much of the attention during National School Lunch Week naturally focuses on the individuals preparing and serving meals, we also want to recognize two incredibly important members of our school nutrition program—Stacy Spector and Christina Moore, our Lunch Account Managers!
Stacy and Christina play a vital role in keeping our lunch program organized and running smoothly. From managing student meal accounts and assisting families to helping ensure accurate information and supporting the daily operations of our nutrition program, their work is essential.
Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, but their contributions make a tremendous difference for our students, families, and staff.
A huge shoutout to Stacy and Christina! We appreciate your attention to detail, willingness to help, and the important work you do to support our school nutrition program each day!
More Than Just a Meal
What makes our school nutrition team so special isn't simply the number of meals they prepare or the work they accomplish each day. It's the genuine care they show our students.
They understand that their role extends beyond the cafeteria. A friendly greeting, a familiar face, a shared laugh, and a warm smile can make a lasting impact on a child's day.
A well-fed student is better prepared to learn, grow, and thrive. A student who feels welcomed, valued, and cared for is even better positioned for success. Our entire school nutrition team helps make both possible!
As we reflect on National School Lunch Week, we want each of these individuals to know that their hard work, kindness, and commitment to our students do not go unnoticed.
On behalf of the students, staff, administration, and families of Hershey Public Schools, THANK YOU to our incredible OPAA! team, our lunch account managers, and everyone who contributes to the success of our breakfast and lunch programs!
We appreciate the meals you prepare, the relationships you build, the smiles you share, and the difference you make in the lives of our students every single day.
Thank you for serving more than meals. Thank you for serving our Panther family with heart! 🐾