TOWSON, MD—The national School Nutrition Association has recognized Terri Smith, food service operations manager for Baltimore County Public Schools and president of the Maryland School Nutrition Association, with the President’s Award of Excellence and the President’s Award of Service.

The President’s Award of Excellence is awarded each year to only three state nutrition association presidents who demonstrate outstanding leadership by implementing strategies that advance school nutrition programs in their states.

The School Nutrition Association recognizes all state presidents annually with an Award of Service, presented in honor of past president and school nutrition pioneer Thelma Flanagan. The award recognizes the dedication and commitment state presidents provide throughout the year, striving to accomplish the association’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.

“We are thrilled that Terri Smith is being honored with these two awards from the School Nutrition Association,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “We appreciate the leadership she provides to our food service operations and her enduring commitment to the well-being of our students.”

Smith has been a Team BCPS member since 2001 when she joined the Office of Food and Nutrition Services as area field representative. She was promoted to area supervisor and then, in 2015, she stepped into her current role. As manager of food service operations, Smith has developed a cafeteria manager training program and an office-wide professional development plan for all cafeteria workers. During the 2020-2021 school year, she guided the operations team in implementing the emergency mobile meal program offering free meals to all students.

Smith’s leadership tenure with the Maryland School Nutrition Association began in 2015 as a member of the annual convention committee. She became vice president in 2018, president-elect in 2019, and president in 2020.

She will be honored for her two awards during the association’s annual conference, which is being held virtually this week.

Photo via BCPS