Monroe County, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) has been honored with one of the nation’s top recognitions for its efforts to ensure children have access to healthy meals during the summer months. At the start of the school year, MCCSC’s Child Nutrition department received the Gold “Turnip the Beet Award” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), marking the highest level of recognition for the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
Only seven organizations across Indiana were recognized this year, and MCCSC stood out as the only school corporation in the state to receive a gold rating. The award highlights the corporation’s commitment to providing meals that are not only nutritious but also appealing and accessible to children who might otherwise face food insecurity during the summer break.
The USDA’s “Turnip the Beet Award” is designed to spotlight schools and community organizations that go above and beyond in delivering quality meals through the Summer Food Service Program. Winners are recognized for offering menus that emphasize variety, fresh ingredients, and balanced nutrition, while also creating an environment where meals are enjoyable for students. For MCCSC, the recognition reflects decades of work in a program that has quietly served as a safety net for local families.
Each summer, MCCSC hosts the free meal program at select schools, providing both breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18. There are no forms to fill out, no registration required, and no ID checks—just a welcoming service available to all. In 2024 alone, the Child Nutrition department served more than 10,000 meals through the initiative. The program has been a part of MCCSC’s work for more than 20 years, making it one of the community’s longest-running food support programs for children.
Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston said the award is a reminder of how vital the program has become to families. “We know that many families in our community do not have access to meals during the summer, so programs such as the USDA Summer Food Service Program are critical,” Winston said. “Thank you to Matt Tomrell, MCCSC director of child nutrition, and his team, for their hard work ensuring that this service is offered to our community.”
That recognition is well-deserved. Director of Child Nutrition Matt Tomrell and his team have expanded the program with creativity and determination, ensuring it meets the needs of children from across the district. Their work was publicly acknowledged at the MCCSC August Board of School Trustees meeting, where the gold award was celebrated as both a district and community achievement.
The award, while a significant honor, also brings attention to the broader issue of food insecurity during the summer months. For many children, school meals are a primary source of daily nutrition. When schools close for the summer, those meals disappear, leaving a gap that programs like MCCSC’s are designed to fill. By creating welcoming spaces where children can access healthy food without barriers, the program provides not just nutrition but also peace of mind for parents and caregivers.
The MCCSC Department of Child Nutrition, formerly known as the Department of Food Service, continues to evolve in its mission. The recent name change reflects a broader vision that goes beyond simply providing meals, emphasizing instead the role of nutrition in supporting student health and academic success.
For the community, the Gold “Turnip the Beet Award” is both a recognition of what has been achieved and a motivation to continue building on that progress. It demonstrates that thoughtful planning, dedicated staff, and a focus on children’s well-being can create programs that stand out at the national level.
A full list of winners can be found on the USDA website, and families interested in learning more about MCCSC’s Child Nutrition initiatives can visit mccscschoolmenus.com or explore more about MCCSC schools at mccsc.edu.
