Central Point school nutrition leader earns Director of the Year award
Published 10:15 am Sunday, May 24, 2026
Anne Leavens, the nutrition director for the Central Point School District, has been awarded the Western region Director of the Year accolade by the School Nutrition Association.
The award honors the exemplary contributions of school nutrition directors across the country, and Leavens was selected for her efforts to improve meal quality, increase access to seasonal produce, create education opportunities and for her leadership and community collaboration with the Central Point School District.
“Anne approaches her work with tireless energy and compassion and carefully plans balanced menus to promote healthy meal options,” said Stephanie Dillard, School Nutrition Association president. “Colleagues, parents and students are inspired by her dedication; she leads by example and demonstrates that one person’s passion for nutrition can spark meaningful change within a community.”
The School Nutritional Association announced Leavens as the Western district winner on April 28.
Leavens also works as a liaison between the school and the community, coordinating to run the after-school supper program, which ensures that food-insecure children are provided with nutrient-rich meals.
She also contributes to the summer meal program, helping to provide weekly meals to more than 800 children in the community.
Leavens also served as president and vice president of the Oregon School Nutrition Association and on the SNA national board of directors.
SNA award winners will also be highlighted in SN Magazine, on schoolnutrition.org and related social media platforms and at SNA’s Annual National Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina in July.
The SNA is a national nonprofit organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals across the country and was founded in 1946.
For more information on school meals, visit schoolnutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
Reach reporter James Sloan at james.sloan@rv-times.com.