L’nette Stokes

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-LAC 2026 and SNIC 2026

Years in School Nutrition: 5 years

Students Served: 10,000

J.T.M Food Group, “Jack Maas, Jr.” returning attendee scholarship

“This opportunity reminded me that the work we do in school nutrition reaches far beyond the cafeteria. Being able to learn more about advocacy and connect with other professionals who share the same passion for serving children was both inspiring and affirming. It strengthened my commitment to continue being a voice for students who depend on school meals. My hope for the future is to continue growing as a leader in school nutrition and to remain actively engaged in efforts that support and protect programs that nourish children”

Why School Nutrition?

What I love most about my job is knowing that the work we do has a direct impact on students. For many children in our community, school meals are an important and reliable part of their day. Being able to ensure that every child has access to healthy, appealing meals that support their learning and overall well being is very meaningful to me.

Attending the conference through the scholarship opportunity strengthened my passion for this work. It gave me the opportunity to connect with other professionals, learn new ideas, and bring back strategies that will help continue improving our program and supporting the students we serve.

Bringing It Back to My District

One key takeaway from the Legislative Action Conference was the importance of every voice being heard and how individual stories can collectively influence change. As school nutrition professionals, we often focus on the daily operations of feeding students, but LAC reminded me that our experiences and perspectives are powerful tools when advocating for policies that support our programs and the children we serve. This experience reinforced for me the importance of sharing our district’s story and helping my team understand that the work they do each day matters beyond the cafeteria. When we speak about the challenges and successes we experience in serving students, we help policymakers better understand the real impact of their decisions. I will take this message back to my team by encouraging them to remain proud of the work they do and to recognize that their commitment to serving students is part of a much larger effort to support child nutrition across the country. When our individual voices come together, they create a stronger collective voice that can lead to meaningful improvements for the students and communities we serve.

The Impact of This Scholarship

SNF’s Conference Scholarship provided me with an invaluable opportunity to attend the Legislative Action Conference, where I was able to gain deeper insight into the legislative process, strengthen my advocacy voice, and connect with other school nutrition professionals who share the same commitment to serving students. The experience was both inspiring and educational, reminding me that our collective voices truly make a difference in shaping policies that support child nutrition programs. Professionally, it allowed me to bring back knowledge and renewed motivation to my district and team. Personally, it strengthened my passion for advocating for students, especially those in rural communities who depend on school meals each day. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and hope to continue growing, learning, and contributing to this important work by participating in future conferences.