Tigard-Tualatin School District nutrition director receives national nutrition award
Published 5:00 am Friday, May 9, 2025
Whychus Creek, renamed in 2006, was previously one of several locations in Oregon named after a slur used against Indigenous women. House Bill 3532 aims to speed the process of removing offensive titles from remaining sites. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
A national nonprofit school lunch organization has named the Tigard-Tualatin School District’s nutrition director as its Western Region Director of the Year.
The School Nutrition Association said Kimberly Leung received the award, which recognizes “extraordinary contributions of school nutrition directors who manage effective school meal programs providing healthy, appetizing meals to students.”
Leung’s award was announced during an online awards ceremony April 30 in advance of School Lunch Hero Day, celebrated on May 2.
“When Kimberly Leung arrived at the Tigard-Tualatin School District during the pandemic, the program had a zero fund balance,” the national association said in a statement. “She has since transformed her department into a financially self-sustaining operation with more than a $1 million fund balance and increases in equipment, staffing and programming.”
The organization praised Leung, who joined the Tigard-Tualatin School District in 2021, for adding more local, nutritious and culturally relevant foods while partnering with dietetic interns to introduce students to menu items such as kimchi, Thai curry, Indian butter chicken, samosas, dal, tamales and shrimp ceviche.
In addition, it noted that Leung has been a strong advocate for students and families, involved in jumpstarting the School Meals for All in Oregon campaign and testifying before state legislators on its behalf.
“Kimberly is passionate about her work and unafraid to speak up when she feels change is needed,” said Shannon Gleave, School Nutrition Association president. “She significantly improved the finances and overall foodservice operations at her district since her arrival, a great testament to her skills and attention to detail.”
Last year, Leung was selected as an Amazing Educator by The Times newspaper.
She said at the time that the most rewarding aspects of her job were nourishing kids, getting them to build healthy habits and making sure those students eat the food made for them.
“The point is to get kids to try different things in different ways,” said Leung, who oversees a school district meal program that serves 4,500 lunches and just under 1,000 breakfasts daily.
