Meet Your 2026 Award Winners
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MINNESOTA'S AND SNA'S MIDWEST REGION DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:
Darcy Stueber, SNS
Director of Nutrition Services
Mankato Area Public Schools
The Director of the Year award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of school nutrition directors who manage effective school meal programs providing healthy and appetizing meals to students.
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Darcy Stueber’s pivotal leadership helped advance universal free school meals legislation in Minnesota to eliminate financial barriers for families, prompting a significant increase in student meal participation. To promote free meal service and school meal benefits to families, she led district-wide outreach campaigns, creating multilingual flyers, FAQ sheets and social media posts, and hosted informational booths at back-to-school nights and community open houses.
Marketing and student engagement initiatives led by Stueber have raised awareness of fresh, scratch-prepared menu items and farm-to-school partnerships. To gather student feedback before making menu changes, Stueber coordinated student tasting and voting events, helping to increase student trust, improve menu acceptance, and boost meal participation. Through social media outreach, community presentations and collaboration with administrators, she has reframed school meals as an integral part of student success, an effort that has also increased pride among staff, fostering a positive culture centered on quality, equity and service excellence.
Stueber’s strategic procurement and careful labor management practices have reduced waste and improved finances, allowing for investments in equipment and staff development. Stueber creates quarterly meal program briefings with metrics on labor, participation, financial performance and student satisfaction for district leadership and she organizes annual cafeteria walkthroughs to improve program transparency and district-wide trust.
“Darcy’s deep commitment to school nutrition is evident through her many efforts to elevate and reinforce her program as a vital asset that benefits student health and the local community,” said Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS, School Nutrition Association President. “Her exemplary advocacy work to expand school meal access to all students and hands-on involvement in bringing more fresh and local foods to menus is to be commended.”
Stueber has served in various leadership roles within Minnesota SNA, including her current role as Public Policy Committee chair. She regularly attends state and national conferences, legislative sessions and policy briefings as well as serving as a media spokesperson on related issues. She has presented and facilitated breakout sessions and shared expertise on financial stewardship, operational efficiency and leadership development. She also regularly participates in SNA webinars and professional standards trainings to maintain credentials and stay current with USDA regulations.
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MINNESOTA'S AND SNA'S MIDWEST REGION MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
Gail Kreager
Lead Cook
Perham High School
The Manager of the Year award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by cafeteria managers who have excelled in providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students throughout the school year.
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Gail Kreager turns the lunch line into a personal, welcoming experience, greeting students with genuine warmth, remembering their favorite meals and making them feel seen and valued. She maintains spotless, inviting stations and serves food that reflects pride and care in every dish. Kreager pays attention to detail, from her organized kitchen and serving lines to each visually appealing meal. Her positive energy is infectious; she elevates the entire school dining experience by creating a welcoming environment where students and staff feel appreciated and excited to eat, which supports strong meal participation.
Helping organize quarterly student advisory meetings for students to discuss menu preferences and concerns, Kreager encourages honest feedback and listens with patience and compassion to bring suggestions to the team. She also incorporates student input into menu decisions through taste tests, surveys and informal conversations to foster student ownership of menu offerings and reinforce that their voices matter.
Through strategic marketing practices, Kreager has strengthened parent confidence and increased positive engagement with the school nutrition department. She highlights menu variety, scratch cooking efforts and compliance with federal nutrition standards through district communications to support participation growth and reinforce the professionalism of the program. She treats both staff and students with respect and genuine care.
“Gail models exceptional leadership, supporting coworkers by listening to their concerns, understanding challenges and offering encouragement,” said Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS, School Nutrition Association President. “She has left a lasting impact on the school community and set a standard for excellence in school nutrition.”
Kreager holds SNA Level 4 Certificate in School Nutrition, viewing professional development as a shared responsibility and helping her team grow more confident and effective in their roles. She consistently participates in SNA trainings and conferences and shares new ideas, best practices and regulatory updates with the department. She encourages coworkers to join SNA with an eye toward professional growth and strengthening both individual performance and the success of the nutrition program.
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MINNESOTA'S AND SNA'S MIDWEST REGION EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Anita Toft
Cook
Centennial ISD#12
The Employee of the Year award recognizes the valuable contribution of school nutrition employees who exhibit a remarkable commitment to both their school meal program and the students they serve.
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Anita Toft has the experience and knowledge to efficiently serve crowds of students at the Centennial High School store with competence and grace. She knows students by name, serving more than 350 students on her own each day in the store, stocking it with favorites based on her memory of their preferences. Toft also makes fresh options for the school’s grab and go menu, providing healthy alternatives such as fresh salads to the main lunch menu. Toft works to develop a connection with each student, some students will not stop at the store on the rare days she’s absent. She remains pleasant and professional even during hectic days.
“Anita’s work ethic and attention to detail are qualities a busy school store needs to run smoothly,” said Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS, School Nutrition Association President. “Getting more than 350 students through a line quickly while showcasing healthy options is an accomplishment that benefits her school community every day.”
Professional growth and development are important to Toft. She is working to earn her SNA Level 4 Certificate and is eager to watch training videos to keep up to date with the latest best practices related to her profession.
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MSNA'S HERO AWARD WINNER
Luke Fenton
Student Nutrition Services Associate
Lincoln K-8 Elementary, Rochester
The MSNA Hero Award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond daily at their job.
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Luke takes pride in creating a cafeteria space that feels safe, welcoming and positive everyday as he serves students with patience, consistency and heart.
His kindness is evident, whether greeting students by name, encouraging them to try something new or offering a friendly face and stuffed animal to help calm students having a tough moment. Luke provides a steady and caring presence for students, helping them feel respected and important.
In the kitchen, Luke ensures meals are hot and ready on time for lunch service, adjusting the number of meals to use resources wisely and reduce waste. Luke maintains high standards for food quality, cleanliness, efficiency and organization, ensuring that the cafeteria runs smoothly even during the busiest times. He takes care of dishes and is mindful of food safety practices, sanitizing the serving lines and keeping temperature logs.
Luke arrives at work with a positive attitude and regularly stays late to make sure the kitchen is clean, organized and ready for the next morning. He is dependable, positive and supportive of his team, even willing to fill in for the kitchen lead when needed. His professionalism and reliability make him a role model for others. He collaborates with staff, supports school-wide initiatives and contributes to a positive school environment.
“There are so many unsung heroes in school nutrition and it’s an honor for us to recognize Luke for the incredible contributions he makes to ensure a positive cafeteria experience for students. His care and commitment to support students’ nutritional needs and their emotional wellbeing are inspiring,” said MSNA President Glen Ritter, SNS.
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MSNA'S HERO SITE AWARD WINNER
Valley View Middle School of STEM and Southview Elementary
ISD 196 Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan
The MSNA Hero Site Award recognizes excellence in teamwork, creativity and customer service.
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The Valley View Middle School of STEM and Southview Elementary team is comprised of:
The team consistently demonstrates exceptional customer service far beyond serving nutritious meals. They build relationships, protect student well being and create a cafeteria environment where every child feels supported and welcomed.
The team cares for each student’s needs, they know when students are absent and monitor allergens, preventing restricted foods from being served. They maintain order in the serving line while addressing each student by name. The cultural diversity of the team is another strong asset, allowing students to relate and build connections and trust.
In working to highlight local produce on menu, the team collaborates closely with classroom teachers to create hands on learning experiences to connect students to their food. They visit kindergarten classrooms to teach students about the importance of eating balanced meals and share stories about the “superpowers” of different foods. Special events such as the corn shucking competition provide a fun, interactive way for students to learn about local agriculture. The team threw a special classroom pizza party to lift students’ spirits when a field trip was unexpectedly cancelled and created a school wide picnic lunch to transform an ordinary day into a celebration.
“This inspiring team shows how effective collaboration can have significant positive impacts on everything from kitchen operations and meal service to nutrition education,” said MSNA President Glen Ritter, SNS. “Their creativity and commitment enhances the school meal program and makes cafeteria time meaningful and memorable for students.”
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About the MSNA Awards
- The MSNA Hero Award recognizes an individual that goes above and beyond each day at their job. Individuals must be nominated by any staff member within or outside the school district. Industry members are eligible to submit nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted. The nominated member must be a SNA/MSNA member and a school nutrition employee. Directors are not eligible for this award. Multiple candidates may be nominated from each district.
- The MSNA Hero Site Award showcases excellence in Teamwork, Creativity and Customer Service. Going the “Extra Mile” is a part of the team’s goals to bring their best service to the forefront. Any team of two or more may be nominated for this award. Industry members are eligible to submit nominations.
The MSNA awards will open in early 2026 and the recipients will be announced in the MSNA May newsletter.
About the SNA Awards
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