WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDNews)– Lindsay Ball, supervisor of Dothan City Schools’ Child Nutrition Program, and Debra Ruffin, Child Nutrition Program manager at Girard Elementary School and Dothan 6th Grade Center, are in Washington, D.C., advocating for improvements to school meal programs.
The two are participating in the School Nutrition Association’s Legislative Action Conference, joining 850 school nutrition professionals from across the country. Their goal is to urge lawmakers to increase federal funding for school meal programs, ensure all students have access to free, nutritious meals, and address the growing issue of unpaid meal debt that many districts face.
During their time on Capitol Hill, Ball and Ruffin are meeting with congressional representatives to emphasize the importance of well-funded school nutrition programs in supporting student health and academic success. They are also discussing ways to reduce barriers that prevent children from receiving proper meals at school.
Their advocacy highlights the challenges school nutrition programs encounter, including rising food costs, supply chain disruptions, and staffing shortages. By speaking directly with policymakers, they hope to secure legislative support that will strengthen school meal programs and benefit students in Dothan and beyond.
