Indio's 'School Nutrition Heroes' Recognized By City Council

Palm Desert CA

18 January, 2021

5:06 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Indio: Jan. 18, 2021 The City of Indio will recognize 68 Desert Sands Unified School District employees for their commitment to keeping families fed with healthy and nutritious meals during the pandemic at its Jan. 20 City Council meeting. In the last 10 months, the DSUSD Nutrition Services team has adapted to serve over 3 million drive-through pick-up meals district-wide, including 1.9 million meals within the City of Indio. At 18 school sites and one apartment complex within the City, these DSUSD staff members provide breakfast and lunch for seven days a week. At 18 school sites and one apartment complex within the City, these DSUSD staff members provide breakfast and lunch for seven days a week. (City of Indio)DSUSD's Nutrition Services staff would typically be responsible for warming food in a cafeteria, serving meals to students, and interacting with them at the register. Now they are providing grab-and-go meals in extreme desert weather, including scorching and frigid temperatures. In addition, employees move heavy equipment in order to transport the food safely outdoors. "These School Nutrition Heroes truly serve as the 'front-line' for many families," said Mayor Elaine Holmes. "Even outside of the pandemic, they sometimes provide the only reliable meal students may receive in a day. We are extremely grateful that they have stepped up to meet a growing need." "They take great pride in the job they do, and it is apparent in the smiles of their students," added Dan Cappello, Nutrition Services Director for Desert Sands Unified School District. "Our 'lunch team' is extremely understanding, and takes pride in providing a sense of normalcy to parents and students." As City Council Chambers are not open to the public at this time, Indio's City Council will present these DSUSD staff members a Proclamation at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 via Zoom. The public is welcome to watch the recognition live via the City's website or Facebook page. Grab-and-go meals are available to all students at no cost, and take place at all Indio schools on Mondays and Wednesdays. Indio's City Council will present these DSUSD staff members a Proclamation Wednesday via Zoom. (City of Indio)This press release was produced by the City of Indio. The views expressed here are the author's own.