Dodge City Public Schools – As schools across the district celebrate National School Lunch Week, the spotlight often shines on the meals served in our cafeterias each day. Yet, behind every loaded tray is a dedicated, hard-working crew operating far out of sight.

At the heart of the district’s meal production is a team in the Nutrition Department made up of just four office staff members and three warehouse delivery personnel. Together, this seven-person team acts as the engine driving one of the district’s largest daily logistical efforts.

"People see the friendly faces serving lunch in the cafeteria, but there’s an entire system working behind the scenes to make that happen," said Kathy Schultz, Nutrition Supervisor. "From planning balanced menus that meet federal standards to receiving shipments and making sure fresh food arrives at every school on time, our office and warehouse staff make the entire operation possible."

The workload is impressive. Throughout the school year, this small department manages the logistics, purchasing, equipment, and delivery required to prepare and serve approximately 1.25 million meals to students.

The four office staff handle menu planning, nutritional guidelines, budget management, vendor contracts, and student account administration. Meanwhile, the three-person warehouse crew manages inventory, operates heavy machinery, and drives daily delivery routes—ensuring school kitchens remain stocked with fresh produce, ingredients, and necessary tools.

Without their seamless collaboration, school cafeterias couldn't function. This National School Lunch Week, as we thank our cafeteria servers, the district also recognizes the incredible office and warehouse team keeping our students nourished, healthy, and ready to learn every single day.