OHS career tech instructor receives sustainability award

CONTRIBUTED BY UNITED

SOYBEAN BOARD

OPELIKA — Judy Eldred, a career tech instructor at Opelika High School, has been recognized for her effort to increase the school’s sustainability and food waste management programs.

Eldred received the 2024 Green Runner-up Award recognizing her commitment to teaching sustainability and its importance in culinary education. The national award is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ).

Eldred addressed sustainability and food waste management in a hands-on way through a mutually beneficial partnership with the school’s agriculture program. The agriculture program provided the culinary program with farm-to-table ingredients, including an aquaponics setup that grew herbs, lettuce and market-size tilapia. They also provided seasonal produce and eggs. In return, the culinary students gave the ag program items for composting.

The goal was to foster a culture of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility among students while increasing awareness about the origin of food. Various school events provided the program with a platform to demonstrate their collaborative endeavors with local community members and industry leaders. As a result, the culinary program received donations and job opportunities for students.

Eldred received a commemorative plaque from the United Soybean Board and was presented with a complimentary registration to attend CAFÉ’s 2024 Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

About United Soybean Board

United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB. For more information, visit unitedsoybean.org.

About CAFÉ

Founded in 2002, the mission of the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education is to link culinary educators with the foodservice industry. The organization provides up-todate resources to foodservice educators who are training students for careers in the ever-evolving hospitality industry. For more information, visit CafeMeetingPlace. com.

Lee County Schools receives donation from State Representative a primary focus, the Bistro also aims to attract customers from outside the college, strengthening ties between Southern Union and the local community. Open to the public, the

Bistro currently employs five staff members who prepare and serve breakfast and lunch. The restaurant also caters to various departments at Southern Union State Community

College and crafts meals for the college’s sports teams.

Lanier has ambitious plans for Bison Bistro, including offering seasonal meals for holiday celebrations. He is also working on introducing an optional meal plan for students, which would include a special ID card. Unlike traditional meal plans, this one would allow unused funds to roll over from one semester to the next, giving students more flexibility in managing their dining expenses. Opened on July 8, Bison Bistro is set to become a staple at Southern Union State Community College. As the restaurant continues to grow, Lanier is actively hiring and looking to expand its involvement in the community.