School Nutrition Association of CT Announces State Award Winners

The non-profit School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT) has named Karine Szymaszek, cafeteria manager at Lincoln Middle School in Meriden Public Schools (MPS), the state Manager of the Year. Considered the highest honor a school nutrition manager can earn, the award recognizes a cafeteria manager in Connecticut who has demonstrated dedication and ingenuity to improve his or her school meal program. This is the fourth year in a row that MPS has taken home the statewide Manager of the Year title.

For more than 20 years, Karine has shown exceptional leadership, creating a friendly environment in her cafeteria for students and staff. Leading by example, she is known to arrive at work with a smile and a positive attitude. She has been instrumental in helping the school community get through the pandemic, spending countless hours preparing meals, filling in for other manager colleagues who had fallen ill or needed to quarantine and handing out meals personally to those in need.

Her efforts go above and beyond traditional school meal service, ensuring children in the Meriden community have consistent access to nutrition as well as providing them with special rewards. Each year, Karine makes menu suggestions for the eighth grade students' semi-formal dance and prepares and displays an elegant selection of hors d'oeuvres for the event. She also prepares and serves food to the graduating seniors at their Project Graduation night of celebration. Karine supports her school and the food services program by volunteering during special events for district volunteer dinners and administrative luncheons, and she helps to run the afterschool programs.

Karine has guided many of her staff members to be proactive in their training, learning skills to become co-managers in case of emergency situations. She is a former chapter officer, has attended SNACT’s annual conference and industry shows the past three years and achieved Level 1 Certification. Continuing to promote the importance of SNACT trainings and networking, she has encouraged others in her school and the district to seek certification. Her staff says she expects the best from her department, and she motivates them with constructive feedback and helpful training. She is known for checking in on staff outside of work as well.

“Karine Szymaszek, shows an extraordinary passion for providing nutritious meals for students and making special efforts to celebrate them,” said SNACT President Erica Biagetti, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Cheshire Public Schools. “She has built a safe and healthy environment for members of her staff and the children she is charged with feeding.”

The Manager of the Year Award is given in honor of Louise Sublette, a leader in school nutrition in her state and in the national School Nutrition Association. During her 43 years in the profession, Sublette worked in many areas of foodservice—public schools, colleges, hospitals and elderly feeding programs. Sublette dedicated her career to honoring school nutrition professionals and ensuring those who work in school cafeterias have access to professional development opportunities, empowering them to help their school meal programs flourish.

Karine, along with other state nutrition award winners, will be recognized during a virtual SNACT “Awards Honor-Palooza!” on May 6. Letters will be sent to the award winners’ school superintendents and Boards of Education in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

About the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT)

The School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT) is one of the leading non-profit organizations committed to educating and supporting school nutrition and food service professionals to ensure all Conn. students have access to nutritious school meals. Providing information, services and continuing education opportunities to school food service professionals in Conn., SNACT promotes the importance and value of school meal programs through partnerships with allied organizations, industry, the school community and the community at large. For more information about SNACT and upcoming events, visit www.snact.org.

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