School Meal Program Nourishes Warfighters’ Children for 68 Years and Counting
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service school meal program is continuing to ensure students attending Department of Defense Educational Activity schools overseas are receiving healthy, appetizing and affordable meals to sustain them throughout their busy school day.
The Exchange’s school meal program has been in place since 1955 and is a large contributor to the quality of life for Warfighters’ children. In 2022, the program provided more than 4 million meals in Europe and the Pacific.
Landstuhl Elementary School Teacher David Groat praised Exchange associates working with the school meal program.
“Parents know their children have access to high-quality food prepared daily,” Groat said. “Exchange personnel become part of the school family and they build relationships with the students. The associates become familiar with students’ dietary needs and even restrictions. They are always looking out for the children.”
Sonja Gates is the manager of the school meal program in the Kaiserslautern area and has worked with the program since 1990. Gates is overseeing the food operations for 14 schools.
“I’m very proud of what we do,” Gates said. “I’ve seen over the years how we’ve improved our program by offering the children healthier choices.”
Gates focuses on food presentation that will entice young students to select colorful fruits and vegetables. She and her team have increased the use of fresh fruits and vegetables over canned alternatives and have also introduced more variety in the entrees, providing an array of healthy options for the students.
DoDEA schools in Europe and the Pacific receive their whole-grain baked goods from the Exchange’s bakeries at Gruenstadt, Germany; the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys; Yokota Air Base; and Camp Kinser, Okinawa.
“The most important thing to be successful,” Gates said, “is gathering the students’ feedback and listening to them.”
When Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby visited the KMC area this spring, he presented Gates and two of her teammates his challenge coin for their outstanding service in operating the program.
“The Exchange is leading the way in how we care for military children,” Osby said. “Meals are provided to students at- or below-cost, and families may apply for free or reduced-price meals to help them get through their day with focus and energy and to give their parents peace of mind.”
The school meal program has always gone above and beyond to ensure military students are fed. In 2020, when schools switched to remote learning during COVID-19, the Exchange pivoted to provide grab-and-go meals that school families could pick up, ensuring students were still receiving nutritional meals even while classes were not meeting in person.
“This position can be very challenging but is also very rewarding,” Gates said. “The smile on the children’s faces warms my heart and motivates my team.”
