School Lunch Hero Day

School Lunch Hero Day honors the school nutrition professionals who prepare and serve meals to students. Observed on the first Friday in May, the day recognizes the people who help make school cafeterias welcoming places and whose work often receives little attention. The School Nutrition Association describes these employees as team members who make a difference for every child who comes through the cafeteria.

Children’s author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, creator of the Lunch Lady graphic novels, founded School Lunch Hero Day in partnership with the School Nutrition Association in 2013. The idea grew from Krosoczka’s experiences with the lunch staff at his former school. After learning how much a thank-you gesture had meant to one of them, he was inspired to create an occasion for students to show their appreciation. Publishers Weekly reports that students have marked the day with cards, drawings, poems, songs, and dance numbers.

How to Observe School Lunch Hero Day

Celebrate by thanking your school’s cafeteria and nutrition staff. Make a card, draw a picture, decorate a banner, write a poem, or simply tell them how much you appreciate their work. Schools can display students’ artwork or organize a special recognition for the people who prepare and serve school meals. Use respectful language that reflects each person’s preferred title; Krosoczka has noted that some people prefer “school nutrition professional” to “lunch lady.”

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