Feeding children to fuel their minds is what motivates Erin Taff to be one of the child nutrition heroes in South Brown County USD 430. 

“As with many districts, the meals some of our students receive at school may be the only things they get to eat that day,” she said. “For me, it is all about the kids. We try hard as a team to not only feed their bellies but to feed their souls with love and compassion each and every day.” 

Taff was one of several professionals across Kansas who recently received their certificate in child nutrition management from the Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team. New to the profession, she said she is proud of the knowledge she’s gained in her role “that was completely out of my comfort zone.” 

“I am most proud of not letting my fears of failure get in the way of pouring my everything into trying to build a program to be proud of with my amazing team of child nutrition professionals,” she said. 

School Lunch Hero Day will be celebrated this Friday, May 2, across the country. More information and resources are available at https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-lunch-hero-day/. Be sure to use the hashtag #FuelingKSKids when sharing celebrations on social media. 

Just in Kansas, there are an estimated 5,000 school food service professionals at more than 1,400 cafeterias and other meal sites across the state. Many of these professionals have to juggle not only the logistics of serving thousands of Kansas children breakfast and lunch every school day, but they also have to adhere to rigorous nutritional requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

“Managing and leading a child nutrition program at the local level is a very challenging job,” said Kelly Chanay, director of the KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team. “In addition to passion and commitment to serving (students), a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities is essential for success.” 

Final Rule nutrition requirements 

Through what is called the “final rule,” the USDA continues to phase in new nutritional requirements for school meals to make them healthier by focusing on limiting added sugars in flavored milks, cereal and yogurt during the 2025-26 school year. Reducing sodium will continue to be encouraged but a 10% reduction for breakfast foods and a 15% reduction in lunch items won’t be required until the fall of 2027. The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team will be providing training this summer on the requirements that go into effect for the 2025-26 school year which are in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

“Strengthening school meals is one of the best investments we can make in our children’s futures,” according to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. “USDA’s commitment to work with school meal partners to provide nutritious school meals comes from a common goal we all share: to help children lead healthier lives.”