District Newsroom

Volusia Pines Elementary School Tonya Causey Honored as a 2025 Florida School Lunch Hero  
Recognized by No Kid Hungry Florida, the Dairy Council of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services   

Lake Helen, FL - Today, Tonya Causey was honored as a 2025 Florida School Lunch Hero. Teachers, students, and Causey’s peers gathered at Volusia Pines Elementary School to surprise and celebrate Causey.  

"Ms. Causey's commitment to student achievement fuels her dedication to our mission that ensures every student has access to nutritious meals,” said Dr. Carmen Balgobin, superintendent of Volusia County Schools. “We are thankful to have heroes like her serving our students every day. If students don't eat, they don't learn, and our School Lunch Heroes at School Way Cafe make sure no child goes hungry. Ms. Causey is a treasured member of our School Way Cafe and Volusia County Schools family." 

As one of five recipients, Causey was recognized for her commitment to ensuring Volusia Pines Elementary School’s students get the school meals they need to thrive in the classroom, and beyond. For many kids, school meals are the most nutritious food they’ll eat all day. 

“When it comes to feeding kids, it takes a community,” said Sky Beard, director of No Kid Hungry Florida. “It is an honor to recognize Tonya today for her commitment to feeding Florida’s kids. It is the hard work of heroes like Causey that keep our kiddos nourished and ready to learn.”  

The 2025 Florida School Lunch Hero Award is an annual campaign by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, No Kid Hungry Florida, and the Dairy Council of Florida recognizing the importance of school nutrition professionals who feed thousands of Florida’s students each day. Hundreds of nominations are collected, and just five recipients are selected from remarkable candidates across the state.  

"We are excited to recognize the contributions of school nutrition professionals, who are often the unsung heroes of our Florida schools and communities,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “These devoted individuals work tirelessly to ensure our children never go hungry, providing not only nutritious meals but also encouragement and compassion. They are true heroes and vital pillars of our education system.”    

“School nutrition professionals are true heroes in every sense of the word. Their commitment to nourishing Florida’s children with balanced meals is nothing short of remarkable,” said Teresa Wiebe, Vice President of Health and Wellness at the Dairy Council of Florida. “We are honored to partner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and No Kid Hungry Florida to celebrate these everyday champions during School Lunch Hero Week. Dairy plays a vital role in school meals, providing essential nutrients to support students’ growth, development and ability to learn. Together, we’re ensuring that every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive—served with a smile by the incredible people who make it happen.” 

In addition to today’s surprise event, Causey received $2,000 from No Kid Hungry Florida, a prize pack from the Dairy Council of Florida, a trophy, hero cape, and more from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  

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About the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness  

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness (FNW) administers The National School Lunch Program and other Federal nutrition and commodity food distribution programs. The Division provides outreach, guidance and training to child nutrition program sponsors, schools, school food service directors, parent and teacher organizations, and students about the benefit of fresh food produced in Florida. FNW’s mission is to ensure that every child in Florida has access to a nutritious meal each day; increase awareness and consumption of Florida’s agricultural commodities; reduce food insecurity among Florida’s most vulnerable populations and encourage healthy lifestyles among Florida residents.     

About No Kid Hungry  

No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids will face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger through effective programs that provide kids with the food they need. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.   

About the Dairy Council of Florida 

The Dairy Council of Florida is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about the goodness of dairy products. We're committed to providing the latest information about dairy nutrition to health professionals, teachers, school nutrition directors, media, consumers, and others who influence the dietary choices of Floridians.