Nutrition Team Wins USDA Turnip the Beet Award

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service named the DJJ Office of Nutrition and Food Services (ONFS) one of the 2021 Turnip the Beet award winners. The Turnip the Beet award recognizes outstanding summer meal program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high-quality meals to children during the summer months.

“I am extremely proud of our Office of Nutrition and Food Services, Secure Facilities and Education employees who made this happen,” said DJJ Deputy Commissioner Margaret Cawood. “They have demonstrated our culture of teamwork to accomplish transforming young lives.”

DJJ was honored with a gold award for its encouragement of healthy eating, including locally grown greens on menus, and providing educational materials in facilities.

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Lauren Whelan, Director of the Office of Nutrition and Food Services

“Receiving the gold award recognizes the dedication and innovation of the foodservice team,” said Lauren Whelan, Director of the Office of Nutrition & Food Services. “It is also a testament to the collaboration between foodservice and several other DJJ divisions. I am so proud of the growth and continued forward movement of this department.

Eighty-four school districts and programs were recognized with Turnip the Beet awards for excellence in 2021. Fourteen programs qualified for a gold award, 54 qualified for a silver award, and 16 qualified for a bronze award.

“Congratulations to DJJ for receiving the United States Department of 

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Linette Dodson, State School Nutrition Director for the Georgia Department of Education

Agriculture gold level “Turnip the Beet Award,” said Dr. Linette Dodson, State School Nutrition Director for the Georgia Department of Education. “It is excellent to see this organization and their nutrition staff’s commitment to going above and beyond with the basic National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option requirements to serve high-quality meals to children during the summer.”