April Liles
Foodservice Director; Waltham Public Schools; Waltham, Massachusetts
In this bustling school district where 5,500 students flow through 11 schools daily, April Liles has found her calling. As the foodservice director for the past 11 years, her innovative, hands-on approach has played a crucial role in elevating the cafeteria experience for every student.
As a registered dietitian working in child nutrition for two decades, April brings professional expertise combined with energy, enthusiasm, and personal insights to her role. She’s a mother of two and has a unique window into the food trends students love. But for April, her role is about more than nutrition science or keeping up with the latest kid-friendly flavors. “My favorite part of the job is the purpose,” April explains. “The purpose of my mission for 20 years has been to ensure no kid is hungry — feeding the future fresh, local foods and educating while doing it. To me it doesn’t even feel like a job anymore; work is FUN!”
April’s philosophy extends beyond the kitchen to her leadership style. Staff turnover can be challenging in K-12 foodservice, but she’s cultivated a vibrant, upbeat culture where the people who come to work every day are there for the right reasons. “My team would do anything for each other,” she emphasizes.
This positive culture doesn't happen by accident. April maintains high expectations while encouraging consistency and innovation. She’s always thinking outside the box, which allows her to foster an environment where creativity can flourish. “I encourage people to be innovative and bring the energy that the job needs,” she says.
For inspiration, April looks beyond the typical school nutrition playbook. She studies the dining operations at local colleges like Harvard and Boston College. She finds big ideas that can be adapted to fit K-12 foodservice. “Keeping an open mind and trying new things, that’s been my inspiration,” she says. “Taking a chance is worth it, even if participation only goes up by 10–12 meals per day.”
April has embraced a return to more traditional meal lines but with a modern twist. Students are welcomed and served their hot meals with a smile. Then they pick and choose meal components among many different service lines to customize their meals. This flexibility respects student preferences while maintaining nutritional standards.
