The Abbey Group kitchen staff at the St. Albans City School was honored yesterday with the 2012 Greet the Challenge Award for Excellence, presented by the Vermont Branch of the School Nutrition Association, for their exemplary efforts in providing outstanding food and customer service to students and the community.

The lunch ladies were nominated by Wendy Trainer and Desiree Gunter, Staff of the St. Albans City School, who in their nomination letter explained how ‘The Ladies’ are a strong united team who together tackle obesity, hunger and fitness. And that “they are the most patient, caring, and flexible people we have ever had the privilege to work with.”

The nomination letter also highlighted that The Ladies have developed a home-like environment in the ‘Café’ where kids not only eat and socialize, but have come to expect the unexpected. Hula hoop challenges, taste tests and dance-offs are regular occurrences and The Ladies support school efforts even if it means more work for them and more chaos in the lunch room. “They clearly love what they do.”

The Director of the USDA Northeast Region, James Arena-DeRosa, presented the award at the  SNA-VT Annual Meeting October 18th, 2012.

Congratulations to our great staff for a job excellently done!