Celebrating Our School Lunch Heroes

Each year on the first Friday in May, we recognize the incredible contributions of our Nutrition Services staff during School Lunch Hero Day. In Richfield Public Schools, our Nutrition Services team does far more than prepare meals—they create a welcoming environment, support student learning, and help build a strong sense of community.

This year, we took the opportunity to ask some of our amazing staff members about what they love most about their work. Here’s what they had to say:

Sheridan Hills Kitchen Crew

At Sheridan Hills, the kitchen crew brings creativity and energy to their work every day. “It’s fun to make the food look pretty and appetizing so the kids want to take the food and enjoy their lunch,” they shared. They love the small-town feel of Richfield and the strong bonds they have built among their team, with experience ranging from 3 to 10 years. “It’s a physical job—you are moving the whole time you are here—but it’s worth it for the smiles we see every day,” they added.

Paula Washington

Paula’s enthusiasm for her role shines through in everything she does. “I LOVE being a lunch lady! The fast-paced work in the kitchen really keeps me on my toes!!” she said. For Paula, the kids are always the highlight: “There’s always laughter, sometimes tears, but every day there is joy.” After years of working across the district, she’s proud to say, “Lunch ladies and lunch dudes ROCK!!!”

Li Mattson

At Richfield Middle School, Li Mattson finds joy in both her work and her coworkers. “I love working with kids,” Li said. “We have a lovely group dynamic—we do a lot of laughing together.” As the production cook for the past eight years, she keeps things moving in a fast-paced kitchen environment that’s both busy and rewarding.

Jodi Nickell

Also at Richfield Middle School, Jodi Nickell brings her hometown pride to her work every day. “I grew up in Richfield and graduated from RPS,” she shared. “I like our small community and seeing tons of other staff that I grew up with still working here.” Jodi loves the fast pace of her job, noting, “It’s pretty much nonstop all day, but we are all good friends and have a ton of fun.”

Cassi O'Meara

Cassi’s love for Richfield Public Schools runs deep—so deep, in fact, that after leaving for a short time, she came back! “I love working for our department. We have such a fun, diverse, and great group of staff members across the district that make my job so enjoyable,” she said. One of her favorite memories is seeing students she served years ago still remember her: “That will never get old!”

Michael Manning

As Foodservice Director, Michael Manning oversees the entire Nutrition Services operation with heart and strategy. “Food plays such a huge role in helping kids feel safe, included, and ready to learn,” he said. He also values the mission-driven culture at RPS: “Everyone—from teachers to custodians to kitchen staff—is here because they care about kids.” His work behind the scenes ensures that thousands of meals are served each day with a focus on equity, cultural inclusion, and student well-being.

 

On School Lunch Hero Day and every day, we are grateful for our incredible Nutrition Services team. They work tirelessly to nourish our students and create a sense of belonging, one meal at a time. Thank you for everything you do—you truly are our heroes!