School Nutrition Director Wins State Award

Buncombe County Schools Nutrition Department Director Lisa Payne, left, poses with North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Food Distribution Division Director Gary Gay

Pictured: Buncombe County Schools Nutrition Department Director Lisa Payne, left, poses with North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Food Distribution Division Director Gary Gay.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

Buncombe County Schools (BCS) Nutrition Department Director Lisa Payne has been recognized for bringing “farm to school” practices to BCS students and staff.

During a surprise presentation on Wednesday, Ms. Payne received the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Best Practice Award. The award recognizes Ms. Payne’s successful efforts to partner with Franklin-based Brasstown Beef as a fresh, local meat supplier for Buncombe County Schools.

“You’ve really stepped to where other people have not gone,” said NCDA&CS Food Distribution Division Director Gary Gay. “You’re a forward thinker. You think outside the box, and you’re not afraid to take risks or challenges.”

The Best Practice Award recognizes school nutrition directors who use the NCDA&CS Farm to School Program in an innovative way that changes the scope of the program, he said. Thanks in part to Ms. Payne’s efforts, Brasstown Beef has grown to become a meat supplier to school districts across the state. Now, she’s working to bring more healthy North Carolina sweet potatoes into BCS cafeterias.

“Lisa, you follow best practices, you innovate and take risks, and most importantly, you feed our children,” said BCS Associate Superintendent Susanne Swanger, who joined Mr. Gay and the BCS Nutrition Department to present the award. “I’m so proud of you.”

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The Buncombe County Schools Nutrition Department has proven itself to be innovative and student-centered, supporting families and providing more than 1 million nutritious meals during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit the BCS Nutrition page.

Check out this video of Wednesday's surprise filmed by BCS School Nutrition Specialist Jason Brown.

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