Lara (Laura) Kaye, who presented the school nutrition update on Sept. 23, said Jackson County’s nutrition program serves roughly 3,500 meals per day across six kitchens and 10 schools and is funded through USDA reimbursements, student payments and supplemental sales.

Kaye told the board that breakfast participation is about 42% districtwide and lunch participation about 78%. She said rising food and supply costs remain a challenge and that meal participation materially affects the program’s financial stability. Kaye extended thanks to the Jackson County commissioners for a supplemental appropriation she described as roughly $500,000; she said the support allowed the program to end the fiscal year with a cash balance for the first time in several years and helped the district keep meals affordable for families.

Recent equipment upgrades include a new walk‑in cooler and freezer at Smoky Mountain Elementary (federal equipment grant), two upgraded serving lines at Smoky Mountain and a new dishwasher at Cullowhee Valley. Kaye also reported three open positions in nutrition — two manager positions (Blue Ridge and Scotts Creek) and one part‑time position at Cullowhee Valley that supports the Catamount School — and said the program is cross‑training staff as candidates move into management roles.

Kaye said the program takes part in Farm to School Month activities and described menu features and local sourcing they’ve used (local apples, pears, peaches, squash, zucchini, local beef and local pie pumpkins). She credited district maintenance staff and county commissioners for recent support and said the program will continue seeking grants for equipment and farm‑to‑school activities.

Why it matters: School meal programs affect food security, student nutrition and district finances. The county supplemental funding reduced near‑term fiscal pressure and allowed the district to maintain meal quality without passing costs to families.

Ending: Kaye invited questions and noted she would provide principals and staff with program displays for Farm to School Month events.