Moving Forward

St. Landry Parish school supervisor of child nutrition Lucretia Chancler has been named national Director of the Year by the School Nutrition Association.

She earned the award for “transforming the school nutrition program,” according to the national, nonprofit professional organization.  It represents more than 56,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.

Directors were nominated for awards at the state level and those winners were considered for awards within seven regions across the country. The national director of the year is selected from the regional winners.

“School nutrition professionals play such an important role in helping students succeed – from providing nutritious meals and inspiring healthy habits to making each student feel welcome in the cafeteria,” SNA President Jean Ronnei said. “SNA’s award winners embody the passion and dedication of these professionals nationwide.”

This is the first time that a school nutrition director from Louisiana has won the award.

“I was shocked. I was crying when they told me,” Chancler said. “I’m just a little girl from Palmetto and this is the first time I’ve ever applied for an award, ever.

“I was just thinking ‘maybe statewide,’ never about anything like this.”

Chancler is a registered and licensed dietitian with some 15 years of experience in food service management and nutrition education, the last with the  St Landry school system. She is a native of the parish, a graduate of Port Barre High School, and  an active member of the School Nutrition Association of Louisiana.

Chancler improved local school cafeteria technology by installing touch screens and bar code scanners to help students make meal choices, as well as temperature monitoring systems to help ensure warm and safe meals. Other new software provides nutritional analysis for students with allergies and special diets.

She also installed online meal payment and free and reduced price meal application systems for use by parents, and was able to get grants to upgrade marketing, equipment and provide fresh fruit and vegetables in St. Landry cafeterias.

Chancler also began an after-school supper program and expanded the summer feeding program, delivering meals by bus directly to communities in need. With the help of her staff, she has created a five-year improvement plan for the school district.

The award winner coordinates training sessions to ensure that cafeteria staffs can operate kitchen equipment safely and correctly.

Chancler earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Southern University; Masters of Science degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University; and completed her Dietetic Internship at Tulane University. She is also credentialed as a School Nutrition Specialist

She will receive her state award at the Louisiana association conference in Shreveport in June, and her regional and national awards in July at SNA’s national conference in San Antonio.

Veronica Narcisse, inventory manager for the parish child nutrition program, nominated Chancler for the award.