Every school day over 40 million healthy school meals are served to children nationwide. Caring, experienced child nutrition professionals work hard both behind the scenes and with children to provide nutritious, safe and appealing meals.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has awarded our own Food Service Director, Melodie Marco, as the Outstanding Director of the Year Award for both the state of New York and the Northeast Region of the United States. Marco will be recognized at the SNA Annual National Conference in Chicago, Illinois in July.

"I was certainly in a state of shock when I got the news," said Marco. "I share this honor with all the staff I ever worked with at both North Colonie Schools and Mohonasen Central School District. A special thanks to Renee Hanks, Director of Food Services at South Colonie Central School District for taking hours of her time to complete the entry on my behalf."

The Outstanding Director of the Year Award recognizes the exceptional contributions of school food service and nutrition directors who manage effective programs that provide healthful, appetizing and nutritious meals to students. School food service directors are responsible for all aspects of food operations, including budgeting, staffing, training, marketing, as well as championing the benefits of these programs to students, the education community, and the public. The criteria for selecting the Outstanding Director of the Year include success in program enhancement, staff development, school involvement, Association involvement/promotion, and community involvement.

SNA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.