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FOR THOUGHT
Regina Thoma on feeding our kids every day at school.
WORDS & PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst
It’s been a lot of years (we won’t say
how many) since I last sat in a high
school cafeteria. But when I received
the assignment to interview Regina
Thoma, Manatee County School District
Director of Food and Nutrition Services,
we decided to meet in the eatery at
Southeast High School.
Regina spent over 20 years in the
corporate retail world with Federated and
May Department Stores, before joining
the district in 2010 as a buyer for Food
and Nutrition Services (FNS).
“I know it sounds like a big change,
but other than the product, it is all very
similar,” Regina said.
“Eight-years ago, a friend of mine at the
school district encouraged me to apply
for the job. After the interview I came
home and told my husband that I really
wanted the job - it was denitely the right
decision.”
After ve-years in that role, Regina was
promoted to the Director of FNS back
in 2015.
As a self-supported program, the mission
of FNS is to provide quality nutritious
meals so students can learn and succeed.
FNS strives to cultivate a healthier future
in an ever-changing global society.
FNS serves over FIVE MILLION student
lunches and breakfasts each year, and
provides service to over 0 of the
student population.
As part of a USDA program, free meals
are offered to all children who are 1 or
younger during the Spring and Summer
breaks. This provides children with a free
breakfast, lunch, and/or snack during the
week when school is out. This service is not
based on income status, and all students
in the district are able to participate.
“During the school year, breakfast is
provided free to all students,” said Regina.
“Each school has a breakfast cart that
allows the students to pick up a nutritious
snack before heading to class.
“One of the objectives that FNS is focusing
on this year, is having great customer
service. We want to be sure that parents
know what is available for their kids. If
there is a lack of participation in any of the
schools, we nd out why so that we can
encourage students to take advantage of