R.M. Moore Elementary Earns Cafeteria of Excellence Award

R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy has been named the winner of a statewide award for its school nutrition programs, the Cherokee County School District announced.

The school received the second annual School Nutrition Cafeteria of Excellence Award from the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition division. GDOE only names three winners for each of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agency regions. CCSD is part of the five-county North Georgia RESA.

The award "recognizes school nutrition professionals for exceptional attention to serving quality school meals and providing excellent customer service while maintaining program integrity."

The R.M. Moore School Nutrition team is made up of Manager Kelly Pruitt, Assistant Manager Tammy Fortenberry and Dixie Byers, Susan Clark, Amanda Humbert, Micaela Morales, Regina West, and Emily Wood.

Schools selected for the honor must meet high standards for health inspection scores, quality and variety of menus, use of Georgia Grown produce and ingredients, promotion of school nutrition programs and student meal program participation.

The judging committee also requires a letter of support for the cafeteria from a school or district-level administrator or a community partner that describes how the school’s cafeteria team provides exceptional customer service and student engagement.

Matt Kimbrell, who served as the school’s principal last school year and now serves as a CCSD School Leadership and Operations assistant superintendent, wrote the team’s letter of support.

"I have witnessed the R.M. Moore cafeteria staff daily, and I have been impressed by their exceptional customer service, commitment to sourcing fresh ingredients from our Ag-Ventures classroom and Garden Club, and their dedication to engaging with our school community," he said. "From working with our students, teachers, and PTA, they have done it all. They build relationships and model a love for fresh foods and healthy choices. R.M. Moore cafeteria is a shining example of excellence in customer service, farm-to-table sourcing, and school engagement."

The award was formally presented to R.M. Moore’s team and the other honorees at the Georgia School Nutrition Association’s annual fall luncheon in Macon. The team will be recognized by the Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis at the school board’s October meeting.

Last year, Clayton Elementary School received the award as part of the inaugural class of winners.