School Nutrition Association Announces Regional Award Winners

The national, non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) has named Curtistine Walker, SNS, director of food services for Pittsburgh Public Schools, PA, the Northeast regional Director of the Year. The award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of school nutrition directors who manage effective school meal programs providing healthy, appetizing meals to students. A little more than a year since COVID-19 created new logistical challenges for school nutrition directors, SNA continues to applaud the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by its members who have excelled in keeping students fed during the pandemic.

For the past eight years, Walker has changed the school meals landscape of not only her district, but of the entire state. Being the first in Pennsylvania to pilot the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) made it possible for over 24,000 students in her district to have access to nutritious meals, regardless of income, and spurred other districts to follow suit. CEP helped eliminate any stigma associated with free/reduced meal participation and has had a positive impact on student academic success.

Walker works closely with organizations in the community to strengthen the department goal of reaching all hungry children. She has partnered with Grow Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Children’s Hospital Healthy Schools Program, and industry partners such as American Dairy Association, to create educational and exciting events and contests. Her supervisory staff’s fresh ideas for National School Breakfast Week and efforts to expand access, such as grab and go breakfast, have resulted in a 30 percent increase in breakfast participation across the 54 schools since her tenure began. The department has a partnership with 412 Food Rescue to prevent waste and donate extra food safely to the community.

Walker worked with her supervisory staff to initiate the use of the CACFP At-Risk programming to provide nutritious meals and snacks in afterschool programs. They also launched a successful Summer Food Service Program and encouraged the creation of the district staff and student wellness policy. The department’s Summer Food Service Program has provided meals to over 74 sites, which provide healthy meals to children throughout the city.

Walker and the department’s registered dietitian partnered with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council to hear student feedback on menu offerings and service, leading to various changes and increased participation. With her superintendent, Walker committed to further enhance the food service program through implementation of farm-to school initiatives, school gardens, increased out-of-school programs and alternative breakfast access options for all students.

She believes that professional development is personal development and that continual education is important. As her supervisory staffs mentor, Walker ensures their attendance at local, state and national conferences and helps coach them into becoming presenters and speakers. She has been an active member of SNA since August 1996, attending more than 20 SNA conferences and meetings. Presentations she’s given include 13 Common Errors That Managers Make and How to Avoid Them, Collaborative Purchasing 101, and Awesome Management: Pointing Your Employees in the Right Direction.

Walker has served on various SNA committees, including School Nutrition Procurement Task Force and Strategic Planning Committee and has served as regional representative, secretary/treasurer, membership chair and SNA Pennsylvania state president for two terms.

“Curtistine Walker works to ensure that students, staff and the community have a positive school nutrition experience and she exemplifies the tremendous impact that dedicated directors have in their students' lives,” said SNA President Reginald Ross, SNS. “Her efforts have ensured that children across her district have equal access to healthy and nutritious meals.”

The regional Director of the Year Award was created to recognize school nutrition directors who exhibit an extraordinary commitment to their school meal programs. The directors are responsible for maintaining the quality of the program through student interaction, menu planning and a commitment to serving nutritious, tasty and well-balanced school meals. Through effective oversight of all aspects of foodservice operations, including budgeting, staffing, training, marketing and community outreach, school nutrition directors ensure the overall success of school meal programs.

On May 5, 2021, Walker 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 will be invited to celebrate 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.