Stag Spotlight: Kingsley's Cafeteria Staff!

It takes a village to feed nearly 1,000 hungry students every day! Every morning, cafeteria staff members arrive around 6 a.m. to plan healthy menus and prepare both breakfast and lunch stations for the day.

It's Kingsley dining director Kristy Donner's job to make sure the meals meet USDA nutritional guidelines, take stock of all of her ingredients and popular food items, manage the staff, and keep the lunch line moving like a well-oiled machine.

Q and A with Mrs. Donner

How long have you worked at Kingsley?

Since 2015, this will be my 6th school year.

What's the most popular school lunch?

"Mashed potato chicken bowls, hands down."

Does the cafeteria have any yearly traditions?

"We do special holiday meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas."

[Editor's Note: This school year, they also hosted St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo themed lunches!]

She says they also do a prime rib dinner, and, weather-permitting "Smoking Thursdays" where they smoke pork and make homemade briskets, pulled pork, and tenderloins.

What's your biggest challenge as the dining director?

"This year, it's been supply issues. Sometimes, it's chicken that's sold out, sometimes it's beef, sometimes it's dry goods, so you never know. Every time you think you have it figured out, something changes.

In addition to that, I think one of the biggest things is just all the guidelines that everyone has to follow to make sure that we're compliant with the USDA.

What's new in the cafeteria this year?

This year, breakfast and lunch are free for all students, no matter what their benefits status is, thanks to a grant. It’s trying to help families out. Between shutdowns, not being able to work…all the outside changes that have happened to some of the families, it’s been nice to be able to assist in that aspect.