Casey Dickinson, SNS, is a seasoned child nutrition specialist with over 12 years of experience working across federal child nutrition programs at the local, state, and federal levels. She serves as the Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Chesterfield County Public Schools and as President-Elect of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia.
Casey holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, and Psychology, with a minor in Leadership and Social Change, from Virginia Tech. Her passion for food and cooking began during her years in college and was enriched through her travels abroad. Throughout her career, Casey has visited approximately 200 individual child nutrition programs, using these experiences to enhance her department's efforts and as a resource for other programs. Deeply committed to improving school nutrition, she combines hands-on expertise with a vision for creating meaningful change in child nutrition programs nationwide.
I grew up with small farm roots, where every meal told a story of connection: to the land, to family, and to community. My parents instilled in me the value of hard work and the joy of nourishing others. These lessons are at the heart of everything I do as a school nutrition professional.
My mother was the kindest person I’ve ever known, always ensuring everyone had what they needed, often putting herself last. Her kitchen may not have been a haven of culinary artistry or the joy of cooking, but it was brimming with love and care. At one point, she was feeding 11 people under our roof. When she passed away, I experienced a loss deeper than I’d ever known, but I also felt a renewed sense of purpose. Shortly after her passing, I received recognition for a farm-to-school project. It was then I realized the best way to honor her legacy was to carry forward her values: kindness, selflessness, and the belief in showing up for others through not only hard work but also heart work.
When we think about hard work, we often focus on effort, productivity, and meeting deadlines. Heart work, on the other hand, is about connection and relationships. Hard work gets the job done, but heart work connects us to the "why" behind it all. It’s about approaching our work with empathy, compassion, and purpose. In school nutrition, heart work is foundational. It’s seeing beyond the mechanics of preparing and serving meals to recognize the human impact of every tray handed to a student. Together, hard work and heart work create a powerful combination that drives meaningful change.
“Hard work gets the job done, but heart work connects us to the "why" behind it all. It’s about approaching our work with empathy, compassion, and purpose.”
School meals are about more than just feeding children; they’re about nourishing them to thrive academically, emotionally, and physically. For many students, a school meal is the most reliable source of nutrition they receive. According to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, these meals can contribute over half of a child’s daily caloric intake, with approximately 22 percent from school breakfast and nearly 31 percent from school lunch. Universal free school meals offer a powerful reminder to every child that they are valued and supported, ensuring that no one goes hungry, regardless of their economic background. This kind of care and connection creates a ripple effect, uplifting the entire educational community. School meals aren’t just about food; they embody dignity, empathy, equity, and love.
Heart work isn’t always tangible and often goes unrecognized. It’s in the early mornings spent scrambling to make menu substitutions due to supply chain shortages. It’s in the careful attention paid to dietary needs, in knowing every student’s name as they come through the line, and in the extra effort to make meals welcoming and appealing. It’s in the smiles we offer struggling children and the grace we extend to colleagues navigating their challenges. It’s in the unwavering belief that every child deserves a full stomach and a fair chance. These actions foster a nurturing environment that supports students’ well-being and strengthens the sense of community within the school.
Of course, the heart work of school nutrition comes with challenges. From outdated kitchen designs and staffing shortages to stringent regulations, the daily challenges are considerable and require focused attention and creative solutions. Constantly putting others first and bearing the weight of ensuring every child is cared for can deeply affect emotional well-being. This leaves little room for self-care and often leads to burnout. By embracing heart work and highlighting the invaluable contributions of school nutrition professionals, we can ensure that the profound rewards of this labor outweigh its emotional demands.
Food is how we nourish not just our bodies but also our hearts and minds. It represents community, care, and opportunity. Together, we can support universal free meals and ensure child begins their day with a full stomach and a sense of belonging. Let’s honor the heart work that feeds our future, creating a world where every meal is an act of kindness and every child feels valued, seen, and ready to learn.
