Bill Brandt, food service coordinator for Cumberland County Public Schools (CCPS), was presented with the award given to CCPS by the Virginia School Boards Association in the Food for Thought Competition. The competition was created in 2012 to educate, engage and empower school leaders to address childhood hunger and provide all students in Virginia with healthier, more nutritious school meals. The competition has three categories: healthy school meals, meal access to fight hunger and wellness and physical activity. Cumberland was the winner in the healthy school meals competition for schools with a population below 10,000 students.

Applications were judged on several criteria, including creativity and effectiveness of a plan for providing students information concerning healthy eating. According to a press release, Brandt developed a plan that called for expanded nutritious food choices, more opportunities for students to sample new foods and a focused attempt to educate young students on the importance of good nutrition.

Brant noted that he plans to display the award in the high school/middle school cafeteria so that the students and staff members will have an opportunity to view it.