Dalla Emerson

Hearing feedback from students about school meals may not sound like the most welcome conversation, but Dalla Emerson embraces it. “I just love hearing from them, the good the bad, the ugly... Because at the end of the day, our focus is our students. That’s the one thing I try to preach over everything else: we have to put our students first — every day, in every action we take. I tell my team that I don’t care how the kids got to school, once they’re here, they are ours to love and take care of.” Dalla and her staff have even formed food committees to incorporate the input and continuously engage students in menu planning. 

In keeping with her student-first approach, Dalla recognized too many kids weren’t eating at school, citing time constraints as their excuse. To combat the situation, she created grab-and-go stations where anyone can easily take a snack or meal with them on their way to class. The choices at those stations aren’t just boring, prepackaged options. The bento boxes with fruit, cheese, and a protein that Dalla has menued have been very popular with students and teachers alike. Plus, they serve sandwiches made with Pillsbury™ Croissants, Pillsbury™ Muffins, Pillsbury™ Frudels and more.

The grab-and-go stations are just one example of Dalla striving every day to deliver what her students needs. Another way she has been able to meet her students where they are takes shape as a big, purple bus. It’s her diner on wheels. The Purple Bus is used during the school year for different promotional events, but during the summer is when it sees the most action, serving up snacks and meals to underprivileged communities. “When it goes to the library, there are kids already waiting,” said Dalla. “There’s this contagious energy from the students, and I can’t describe the feeling. It’s just so fulfilling.”