AACPS Food Nutrition Services Supervisor Receives National Award

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools has been named one of the top five winners in the No Kid Hungry 2019 summer meals hero contest. The contest was launched earlier this year and the nominees had to have "gone above and beyond" to find creative ways to make summer meals accessible and fun for youth living with hunger.

Low-income families often struggle to put food on the table during the summertime. Called summer hunger, this phenomenon can having a lasting impact on a child's health, a student's ability to learn and general well-being.

“Reaching kids during the summer months can be a tough nut to crack, but I’m so inspired by the work that’s happening in communities all across the country,” said No Kid Hungry senior vice president Lisa Davis in a statement. “Thanks to everyday heroes like the amazing folks we’re recognizing today, many more kids will return to school this fall well-nourished and ready to learn.”

Jodi Risse, food nutrition services supervisor for Anne Arundel County Schools, was nominated after she began working with a local farmer who provides homegrown produce into school meals menus. She also created a farmers market at a summer meal site that sends produce bags home with families and accepts SNAP benefits.

"Jodi is innovative and always adding partners to her summer meals programs and increasing her reach around the county,” said Kara Panowitz, senior manager of out of school time for No Kid Hungry Maryland. “She is truly an example of a dedicated, inspiring, passionate summer meals sponsor.”