Albuquerque Public Schools
Many Meals, More Commitment
APS’ Sandra Kemp honored as director of the year by the state School Nutrition Association.
Sandra Kemp, whose department feeds millions of meals to Albuquerque Public Schools students each year, was recognized as the director of the year by the New Mexico School Nutrition Association.
Kemp, executive director of Food and Nutrition Services, said the credit for the honor should be directed to her entire staff, which she noted does the lion’s share of the work in feeding kids in the district.
“This award is really for the whole department,” she said. “Without all 581 of them, I wouldn't be able to do what I do – it takes all of us.”
The School Nutrition Association is a national nonprofit organization that represents 50,000 school nutrition professionals. Kemp will be honored at the state conference this summer. It’s the second time she has received the honor in New Mexico.
Food and Nutrition Services is a year-round operation at APS. During the last school year, the department delivered 3,867,269 breakfasts, 5,759,359 lunches and more than 1 million afterschool snacks, Kemp said. Additional programs during the school year include supper meals and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
“Hunger doesn't stop in the summer,” said Kemp, who has been at APS for 25 years. “We also provide breakfast and lunch at various locations throughout the city and county.”