Holland joins Polk School District as new Nutrition director
Dr. Linda D. Holland, a native of Tennessee, is the new director of school nutrition in Polk School District.
She officially assumed job duties on Friday, July 1. Prior to that time, Kim McBurnett was the director. Patsy Lynch served as interim director during June.
Holland said she is excited to be in Polk County and is receiving a warm welcome from staff and school officials. However, she admits she is still meeting new people and getting acquainted with everyone.
She plans to have things in place prior to the beginning of school on Friday, Aug. 8. Training sessions will be held and a tentative kick-off meeting with nutrition staff has been set for Aug. 4.
Her focus, she said, will be on the children. “As a registered dietitian, I am aware that many eating habits are established in the early years of a child’s life. I look forward to finding new ways to encourage more children to eat in our school cafeterias.”
She has a passion for wellness since her experience has taught that many adult illnesses have a foundation in childhood. “What we eat does matter,” she said. “A healthy diet is important for every child and it is our job to assure that the children we serve are getting the best available.”
According to Holland, no child attending class- es in Polk School District should go without breakfast or lunch. These are served without cost in all cafeterias.
Prior to the first day of school, children ages - one to 18 - can eat breakfast and lunch free at designated sites in Polk County as part of the Seamless Summer Feeding Program.
This opportunity is provided through the National School Lunch Program and United States Department of Agriculture. It started on June 10 and continues through July 31.
All meals served follow the New Meal Pattern requirements which includes specified amounts of dark green, red/orange and starchy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, milk with limited saturated fat, sodium and calories.
During the summer, breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:15 to 12:30 p.m. at the following sites in Cedartown: Cedartown High School, 167 Frank Lott Drive, Northside Elementary School, 100 North Philpot Street, and Boys and Girls Club.
In Rockmart, breakfast and lunch will be served at the same time at the following sites:
Northwest Georgia Housing Authority in Rockmart – 506 Rome Street and 1030 North Piedmont Avenue, Rockmart High School, 990 Cartersville Highway, Van Wert Elementary, 370 Atlanta Highway, Rockmart and 4C’s sum- mer camp July 13 through 24.
Dr. Holland holds a Doctorate of Education from East Tennessee State University, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science from Tennessee Technological University. She also completed a dietetic internship at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and was director of hospital nutrition services at Smith County Memorial in Carthage, TN.
She has also filled positions in Floyd, Whitfield, Dalton City, Liberty, Franklin and Putnam County schools in Georgia. Additionally, she has worked as a grant consultant with the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division in Atlanta.
Holland is a member of a number of organizations, including Phi Lambda Theta, Kappa Omicron Phi, Kappa Delta Pi and Rotary Club. Her professional activities includes: American Superintendent Assocition Grant Recipient for Alternative Breakfast Delivery Methodist 2016, Coastal Empire Dietetic Association President Elect, American School Nutrition Trainer, Tennessee State Board of Education Advisory Committee Member, Public Law 708 – Food Sales in Schools and others.
She is also the mother of four daughters – Lindsey, Katherine, Ashley and Elizabeth and has a grandson, Luke Smith.