Alamogordo NM
4-19-2025 11:59am

The Student Nutrition Team at Alamogordo Public Schools Receives National Recognition

The Student Nutrition Team at Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) has been recognized on a national stage for its outstanding work in elevating the quality of school meals. The team has been awarded the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK).

This prestigious award honors school districts that have introduced innovative approaches to meal preparation, with a focus on scratch-made recipes that incorporate local agricultural products or USDA foods, in accordance with national recipe standardization processes. APS earned this award through its commitment to introducing fresh, made-from-scratch meals that are not only nutritious but also reflect student input and preferences.

"Our team is constantly exploring new ways to bring fresh, high-quality meals to our students,” said Sandra Davis, Student Nutrition Coordinator. “We’ve worked hard to incorporate more scratch-made items using locally sourced ingredients. This year, we’ve utilized NM Beef, honey, fingerling potatoes, red cornmeal, dried fruits, chile, and more from Rancho de Santa Fe in Velarde, NM, and apples from Nichols Ranch in La Luz, NM, just to name a few. We’ve also brought students into the process by seeking their feedback with taste tests and new menu ideas. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our students enjoy meals that we’re proud to serve—and to be recognized nationally for that work."

In recognition of this achievement, APS will receive national and local recognition from USDA and AFHK, and have been invited to the Healthy Meals Fall 2025 Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. The district will also receive a congratulatory letter, certificate from the USDA, and a banner to showcase their accomplishment.

Interim Superintendent Michael Crabtree praised the achievement, stating, “This award is a reflection of the creativity, care, and commitment that our Student Nutrition Team brings to work every single day. They are redefining what school meals can be—and in doing so, they’re supporting the health and success of every student.”

According to Action for Healthy Kids, the HMI Recognition Awards celebrate school districts that exemplify innovative nutrition practices aligned with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, strengthening connections between the cafeteria, classroom, and community.

Healthy school meals are an essential part of the school environment and a proven tool for improving a child’s health, growth, development, and educational outcomes.“We congratulate Alamogordo Public Schools on this important achievement,” said Rob Bisceglie, CEO of Action for Healthy Kids. “The HMI Recognition Awards are a great opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals.”

To learn more about the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, visit

www.healthymealsincentives.org.

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