Lunch is a highlight of the school day for most students: a time to socialize, take a break from class and enjoy delicious food. However, many don’t realize the care put into preparing each meal.
Food service director Julianna Carvi has worked at the district for over 12 years and said her job includes many different roles.
Carvi explained she is in charge of managing staff, creating and planning menus, ensuring state and federal regulations are followed and staying within the budget.
One main focus of planning menus, she explained, is following nutritional guidelines in a way that is appealing to students. Carvi added she wants to make sure students enjoy the food.
Along with adhering to government regulations, Carvi said she must report data to the school and make sure the health code is followed.
Carvi added in addition to her passion for supporting students, she enjoys working with her employees and getting to know each one of them.
Carvi said there are 16 people on the kitchen staff for the entire school district, and everybody has a specific job during meal times.
Head cook Angie Multhup said she is in charge of cooking operations but added all of the staff is prepared to help in any way needed.
“Every one of us is able to step into another role if needed,” Multhup said. “It all comes down to teamwork.”
Multhup said she started in retail, but she wanted a change in pace and applied for a position as a grill cook. She fell in love with the aspects of food service, she added.
Carvi said an average day on the job starts at 6 a.m. for her and the other kitchen staff. The cooks start by prepping breakfast and lunch, and she spends that time ordering supplies. She added they typically have a break from 8:40 a.m. to 9:10 a.m.
After that, other cafeteria staff members arrive to cook meals and serve students, she said. Then, they spend some time cleaning up after lunch and return home around 1:30 p.m. She explained she stays later to email parents, order more supplies and create recipes.
Cook Meagan Dement explained her day sometimes starts with washing dishes or unloading produce and supplies. Then, she said, she works at the salad bar.
Dement added the lunch crew prioritizes efficiency by working as a team during mealtimes.
“We have protocols that are based on good customer service, being friendly, speedy and accurate,” she said.
The small time frame to serve everybody is difficult, Multhup added, but it always gets done.
“We serve sometimes upwards of 500 kids,” she said. “Being prepared is the key.”
Dement explained the job involves communication and teamwork from everybody, and those tools fuel them in busy periods.
Cook Rachelle Jackson added the rushes can be exciting for the team
and are often a high point of each day.
“We thrive in the busy times,” she said. “That’s what keeps us together.”
The team works well together and enjoy each other’s company, Carvi said.
“Many of the team have become friends outside of work,” she said. “Each one brings something different to the team and together we share the same vision to feed students well.”
Carvi said her favorite part of her job is interacting with students during mealtimes. She added she enjoys positive feedback from them about the meals.
“Success looks like students being excited to eat our food,” she said.
Multhup added meal times are always a highlight of the job.
“I always enjoy when people like what we’re serving,” she said. “That makes me happy.”
Additionally, she said seeing students is a special opportunity in her job.
“It’s the best part of our day seeing the kids come in here,” Multhup said. “We like to see all of your faces.”
Jackson said she has five kids in the district and explained serving them for lunch makes her role rewarding.
“It makes the job so special because I get to see my kids every day,” she said.
Carvi explained there are a few downsides with her job. One major obstacle is making sure students feel included during mealtimes, she said.
“Challenges look like not having enough room for students to feel welcomed to hang out and eat,” Carvi said.
Dement explained an obstacle she faces is days when lunch is early. However, the crew always gets the job done, she added.
Carvi said she is grateful for the opportunity to support students and play a role in their achievements at school.
“Parents would never send their young children to learn if there was not a safe, warm, caring environment surrounding the children,” she explained.
Carvi said she is able to be a positive role model in students’ lives because of the support she gives them along the way.
“Those of us who work in the buildings, grounds, food services and custodians are really fundamental in the success of the student,” she added.
Jackson explained her job provides a unique opportunity in watching students get older and grow up. It’s something she looks forward to and a full circle moment for her, she said.
Carvi said she looks forward to work each day and enjoys all of the exciting moments with the kitchen staff and students.
“It’s challenging, like a puzzle,” she said. “There are many moving
parts, but it’s super fun when it all comes together.”
Published and digitized May 2026.
