MSBSD receives School Nutrition Foundation Grant for new cafeteria design

Ah, the school cafeteria. Most of us can remember what it was like to hang out, take a break from schoolwork, and maybe feel a little more nourished. But one thing most school cafeterias are not known for was being an inviting space, not designed for pleasing aesthetics or comfortable student seating. Instead, some school community members described cafeterias as “crowded,” “dirty,” and in need of “more color” and “better lighting.”

To help one school change the look of their cafeteria and create a space students will want to use for meals and hang out with friends and peers, the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has named Diane Russo, Director of Nutrition Services for Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) the recipient of the AmTab K-12 Signage, Graphics and Decor Grant worth up to $100,000.

The grant is among 2025 SNF Equipment Grants available to help school meal programs overcome staffing, budget or operational challenges. The additional funding supports programs working to expand fresh and scratch-made menu options, increase efficiencies and enhance the cafeteria experience to nourish students’ school days.

“I saw that it was available at the SNF and looking at Wasilla High School, I thought ‘that cafeteria needs some decoration. It needs some sprucing up.’ It’s dull and not matching the rest of the school. So this would be very refreshing and very welcoming to the school,” says Russo.

She is hoping to change the perception of the WHS school cafeteria to more of a school café, hoping to bring students back to the school to eat instead of going out or even using apps like Door Dash. “Breakfast participation is really low, nearly 3% of the student body, and lunch participation is nearly 22%. I’m hoping that once the cafeteria is revamped and looks more spirit-oriented, a place that kids will want to hang out. That more students will feel comfortable in coming in and eating.”

Russo hopes that redesigning the overall look and feel of the school cafeteria will also ease some of the discomfort some students may feel when they do eat in the cafeteria, and not feel as if only the students who participate in the school lunch program only eat there. “I want everyone to eat at the cafeteria.”

Russo reports that the aesthetics at Wasilla High School’s main cafeteria have not been updated since the school was built in 1976. She believes that the institutional, dull look does not encourage or invite students to eat nutritious school meals, contributing to low meal participation rates. She aims to brighten up the space with paint and murals and purchase new seating, tables and television monitors to display menu information, creating a modern food court style cafeteria.

“We want to create a welcoming atmosphere that’s perceived as a fun and healthy place to hang out,” said Russo. “Refurbishing the space and the furniture and improving décor will assist in promoting healthy eating simply by making it more attractive. If more students were willing to try our food, they would see that it is not only healthy, but delicious.”

According to Russo, only about 3 percent of students participate in the breakfast program and lunch participation is about 22 percent. She hopes the creation of a modernized food court will greatly increase participation and reduce disparity among students. The majority of students participating receive free and reduced price meals, while paying students currently opt to purchase school store food items, use Door Dash, or leave the school to eat.

“Elements of Wasilla High School’s cafeteria have not been updated for nearly 50 years, and we are pleased to assist with upgrades to increase the number of students eating Wasilla’s healthy school meals,” said SNF Chair, Becky Domokos-Bays, PhD, RD, SNS.

Russo says she first had to write up a brief proposal for why WHS should be chosen, then upon learning she was a finalist, submitted a short video of what the cafeteria looks like and different ideas for livening the space up, including use of the Warrior Nation mascot and colors.

“Representatives came up to Alaska to see the space for themselves, see the size and dimensions of the cafeteria, and it is now in the works.” Russo says they have designers in place and expects work to be fully under way during the summer break.

“I just hope students will feel comfortable hanging out and eating here, as well as be used for other community gatherings. That is my hope.”

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is the charitable arm of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). SNF supports school nutrition professionals by offering grants and scholarships, providing free training opportunities and identifying research, trends and innovations. The 2025 SNF Equipment Grants are made possible by the generous contributions of Alto-Shaam, AmTab, Cambro Manufacturing, Food Warming Equipment Company (FWE), Hobart (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC Brand), Innoseal, LTI, Inc., Sterno Delivery, Vulcan (ITW Food Equipment Group LLC brand), and Winston Foodservice.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.