The Martin County School District’s Food & Nutrition Services team is being recognized at the state level for outstanding work supporting students through high‑quality nutrition programs.
Several team members were honored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) at a recent statewide conference, which highlights programs that expand access to nutritious meals and strengthen student participation across Florida.
Those recognized include:
Tina Jensen, recipient of the Summer BreakSpot Meal Service Milestone Award, which honors organizations that significantly increase free, nutritious meals to children. Her work supported expanded meal access for students and families, including outreach in the Indiantown community through the District’s mobile feeding bus.
Melinda Lafferty earned the Nourish from Within Award, recognizing innovation in back‑of‑house operations, including staff training, standard operating procedures, recruitment, and succession planning.
Yvonne Potsko, the District’s registered dietitian with nearly 25 years of service, received the Red Carpet Award for creative, compliant use of program funds to grow student participation through menu planning, offer versus serve strategies, share tables, and food recovery efforts.
In addition to the FDACS honors, the District’s Food & Nutrition Services team also received multiple awards from the Florida School Nutrition Association (FSNA):
Christine Cole, Citrus Grove Elementary – Super School Award (Elementary)
Denise Caulkins, Jensen Beach Elementary – Smart Start Award (Elementary)
Amy Sluder, Martin County High School – Smart Start Award (Secondary)
Catherine Uzar, Palm City Elementary – Jane Wynn School Nutrition Excellence Award
Laura Holmedal, Director of Food and Nutrition Services – 2026 Florida School Nutrition Association Director of the Year and SNA Leadership Award
These recognitions highlight the depth and breadth of Food & Nutrition Services efforts across the District—from summer meal access to daily nutrition programs that serve students throughout the school year.
“Our Food & Nutrition Services team plays an important role in supporting students and families throughout the District,” Superintendent Michael Maine said. “These state recognitions highlight the consistent, thoughtful work behind our nutrition programs—from the meals served each school day to the expanded access provided during the summer months.”
Congratulations to our FNS team!