The dream team at Vaughn Road Elementary works to feed hundreds a day [Video]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Shirley Parnell’s day begins when it’s still dark outside. She gets dressed, leaves her home, and drives 30 minutes to Vaughn Road Elementary School. When she arrives, the prep work begins.

Preparing two meals: breakfast and lunch for more than 400 students, faculty, and staff. As the lunchroom manager, she is the leader of “a dream team”, a slew of vendors, cooks, cashiers, and other managers and nutritionists who makes sure they’re adhering to state guidelines.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, there are a number of nutritional guidelines that school cafeterias must follow including: the type of milk served, the amount of whole grains required per meal, fruit and vegetable requirements and alternatives, and even set standards for the “lunchroom atmosphere’.

“We not only feed kids, but we educate them about what’s on their plates and why,” Parnell explained, “making sure they have vegetables, fiber, …