The Alachua County Public Schools’ (ACPS) director of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Department won the Golden School Foodservice Director of the Year Award! Her name is Maria Eunice (pictured above), and she was awarded this highest honor because of her dedication to Alachua County students over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so proud that Maria’s been recognized,” said Superintendent Karen Clarke in a press release. “She always goes above and beyond to support schools and children, and instills that same ethic in the people in her department.”

Eunice has been the director of the FNS department since 2006, and she has been the leader of many initiatives within the department, including the Your Choice Fresh program. According to the press release, participation in the district’s summer meal program has jumped 264% for breakfast and 369% for lunch under Eunice’s leadership. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FNS team worked to provide free meals to all children in Alachua County. The district was able to distribute over 3.6 million meals to local students!

“This award would not be possible without the commitment, hard work, and dedication of the FNS management team and staff,” said Eunice in the press release. “I am thrilled to receive this honor and to be classified in the same light as the directors that I have looked up to throughout my career.”

On January 14, Eunice will be recognized as Foodservice Director of the Year virtually at the annual FAME Awards Ceremony.

Photo attributed to ACPS

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