At the New York City Taste of the Nation event on April 17th, Rachel Sabella, State Director for No Kid Hungry New York, together with representatives from the New York City Department of Education and Local 372, recognized six of the city’s breakfast champions.
Through a city-wide contest, these champions were nominated for their tireless work to help ensure New York City kids have access to the meals they need.
From the school kitchens to the principal’s office, these champions are making sure New York City kids are starting each day well fueled and ready to learn.
PS 106 Brooklyn
Jekesi Abrams works at P.S. 106 in Brooklyn as Senior School Lunch Helper. Mr. Abrams is responsible for transporting breakfast to the classroom every day. Each day he has to climb three flights of stairs with heavy bags, making several trips to take to ensure each classroom gets their breakfast, and again to pick up the bags and get them ready for the next day. He does not complain but provides exceptional service to the students at P.S. 106.
PS 145 Brooklyn
Mona Lisa Williams works as the Cook In Charge at P.S. 145 in Brooklyn. She assists with preparing the Breakfast in the Classroom program and ensures that all the meals are packed and delivered to the classroom on time. On occasions when staff is absent, she assists in transporting the bags to the classrooms. She also works with the students and school administration in promoting the breakfast program and is a role model for both staff and students.
PS 254 Queens
Zoraida Fontanez is an employee of the Office of Food and Nutrition Services in District 27 in Queens. She is the only OFSN employee assigned to the Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy, where she serves breakfast and lunch meals prepared and transported from P.S. 254 in District 27. Zoraida is passionate about her job and her dedication is seen in her excellent attendance at work every day. She goes above and beyond to ensure that her students start each day with breakfast, always putting their needs above her own.
PS 452 Manhattan
Stacey Edwards received eight separate nominations for her breakfast hero award! Stacey is the Cook In Charge for P.S. 452 in Manhattan, where she is an incredible cook and presence in the school’s cafeteria and cares deeply about her students. Stacey works hard to make sure the food is ready and delicious so students are happy and ready to learn. She is always thinking of new innovative ways to elevate her meals to ensure that it is appealing for the kids, which has in turn lead to an increase in meals served.
PS 333 Manhattan
Petrone Philip works as a Senior Helper at P.S. 333, the Manhattan School for Children. His positive energy is known all over the building not only by the staff but the students especially. When kids are having a bad day, Petrone is there to cheer them up. He also works to encourage students to enter the serving line or make the food choices fun and interactive. Through his personal enthusiasm as well as his work to feed the kids of P.S. 333, Petrone goes above and beyond in his dedication to the students in his school.
Nicole Taffe is a manager of 4 school sites in Queens. She is a dedicated and hardworking employee who has launched several "Breakfast in the Classroom" programs. She goes above and beyond to ensure the best service is offered to her students. Unfortunately, Nicole was unable to join us at the Taste of the Nation event, but we thank her for her service to her students!
PS 21 Brooklyn
Leslie Frazier is the Principal of P.S. 21 in Brooklyn. Without her continual support of breakfast, her school’s breakfast program would not be successful. Leslie helps promote the breakfast program through morning announcements on the PA system, she aids in making sure the staff has the right rosters and she ensures her students have breakfast daily.
We want to congratulate the inaugural class of New York City Breakfast Heroes and thank them for all that they do for New York kids!
