We’re in Awe
Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Pasco County Schools Betsy Kuhn Don’t Just Make Lemonade. MAKE FANCY Lemon Meringue Pie!
Before the pandemic hit, our district’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team was known as a positive, enthusiastic and hardworking group. Some teams just get things done, and that was the way they worked. Their back to school all- employee meetings were like a pep rally and their teamwork and friendship were obvious. Most of us recall March 13, 2020, and the weeks that followed as a whirlwind and completely uncertain time.We went home for Spring Break the evening of March 13, 2020, not knowing what would be coming in the days and weeks ahead. It didn’t take long for the realization to sink in: many students would not have food in this new virtual learning environment world. There really was no system that could feed this number of children breakfast and lunch every day. Enter…. School Nutrition superheroes. In our district – Pasco County, Florida – over half of our students received free or reduced lunch at the time with some pockets of our county close to 100% free and reduced lunch. School nutrition leaders sprang into action across the country. In Pasco, it didn’t take long for our FNS team to turn schools into Chik-fil-A drive through-like operations where thousands of meals were served each week. They
operationalized in days– really hours– to meet the needs of our community and went out and served the public when most other professions transitioned to a fully virtual workplace. Our team served over one million meals between the end of March and the end of May 2020. I remember the time clearly because I kept a list of the meals served each week. One
You’re probably familiar with the quote “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” No one was “ready” for mass feeding but they were certainly adaptable. “
day I thought, “that has to be close to a million meals.” When I checked, it was. The pride the entire district felt with that realization was incredible. You’re probably familiar with the quote “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” No one was “ready” for mass feeding but they were certainly adaptable.
Why I am Thankful for our Food & Nutrition Services Team
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Now, as is the case across the country, the team struggles
with food shortages, staffing shortages and even more uncertainty. It seems that last school year was just a warmup for the challenges of this year. Sometimes, the work seems to be getting harder as time goes on. Even so, the adaptability, work ethic and mission continue. I am thankful for our resilient FNS team. They do not make lemonade out of lemons – they make a fancy lemon meringue pie.
I wish them all a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Assistant Superintendent for Support Services, Pasco County Schools (FL) Pasco County Schools is the 10th largest school district in Florida, with over 80,000 students, 96 schools, and over 10,500 employees. She is proud to lead the district’s Operations team, consisting of the following departments: Food and Nutrition Services, Construction Services, Maintenance, Transportation, Purchasing, Planning, Safety and Security and After School Enrichment Programs. Mrs. Kuhn is a graduate of Miami University and Capital University Law School. Betsey Kuhn
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