New leader, equipment highlight Lisbon’s lunch program
September 08, 2012 · Dave Morris
Michele McCoy of Lisbon is the new nutrition director at Lisbon Community Schools.
McCoy is no stranger to the school, having been cheerleading coach the past three years, something she will continue. She is also manager at Sutliff Cider and has past experience in newspaper advertising.
"We want the lunchroom experience to be one the kids fondly remember," McCoy said. "We're the faces they see every day. Plus, we want to provide healthy, appealing, appetizing food.
"Kids today are rushed for time. I want it to be a positive experience. It's probably the only time they can rest their minds during the day."
McCoy grew up in Hamilton, Ill., and is a graduate of Hamilton High School and the University of Iowa.
Her family includes her children, Peyton, 17 and a junior at Lisbon, Clay, 13 and in seventh grade, and Gage, 10 and in fifth grade, as well as her significant other, Ryan Dolan, and his children, Chandler, a Lisbon freshman, and Riley, a fifth grader.
McCoy said she agrees with the philosophy set out by the district regarding the school nutrition program.
Superintendent Brad Laures "wants our school meal program to be the best it can be. I agree with that vision," she said, praising the support received from Laures and her direct supervisor, principal Roger Teeling.
She also has high praise for the veteran staff of food employees in the district.
"To come into an environment where these ladies know the ropes and know what they are doing - they have been very welcoming," she said.
Also new at Lisbon are a pair of new stackable Rational-brand ovens.
They replace ovens that dated to the 1950s.
"They were there when I graduated 40 years ago," said Rhonda Bohrer, head cook.
The new ovens are a higher tech approach to cooking, allowing the kitchen staff to pre-program to the type of food being cooked. The cooking chamber accurately controls the heat and moisture used to quickly cook almost any heated food item.
Sample applications listed on the manufacturer's website include:
• 240 breaded chicken pieces in 12 minutes
• 480 rolls in 18 minutes
• 400 chicken legs in 45 minutes
• 176 pounds of broccoli in 15 minutes.
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