We are delighted to introduce Deb Mackey, Hoosic Valley’s new Food Service Director, who has already made impressive strides in enhancing the school dining experience. Deb shared, “I’m thrilled to say that we’ve doubled daily participation in the high school cafeteria this past month!” She has been working closely with her team to introduce various meal options, ice cream, and new snacks, and the student response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Deb’s expertise extends far beyond Hoosic Valley. As a Master Instructor for the Office of Child Nutrition, she is often called upon to assist school districts with cafeteria improvements, focusing on communication, customer service, and marketing. She has also been featured in national publications and presented to influential groups, including “No Kid Hungry,” FRAC, ASBO, and the USDA.
Deb is passionate about ensuring every student is well-nourished and ready to learn. Now that all meals are free for every student, she sees this as a fantastic opportunity to fuel student success. “It’s a proven fact that students who start their day with a hearty breakfast have fewer absences, fewer trips to the nurse, and perform better academically,” she explained. She’s eager to try new ideas, get to know her staff and students, and ensure everyone in the Hoosic Valley community benefits from the food service program.
She credits the New York State School Nutrition Association and the Office of Child Nutrition for their support and guidance, helping school food service programs thrive and meet USDA standards.
Deb’s message to the Hoosic Valley community is clear: “My hope is that the food service team here finds as much joy and satisfaction as I do in providing quality meals with the best customer service to everyone in our cafeterias. We’re excited to see new faces, and we hope both students and staff will give us a try and share their great experiences!”
