Page 9 - Work Force May 2025

May 2025 9
The Work Force
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District Unit President Cindy Neumann
greets students at the register during lunch.
RAVENA — Rising inflation and
potential federal cuts to nutrition
programs are raising alarm bells for
CSEA members working at school
districts.
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
School District Unit President
Cindy Neumann, a senior cook, is
responsible for more than 400 meals
a day for middle school students.
Currently, lunches at the school
are free due to the high percentage
of district families in need based
on income thresholds. Five to
7% of school district budgets are
comprised of federal monies and
that includes nutrition programs
like free and reduced lunches. A
complex mix of state and federal
formulas informs which districts and
families are eligible, and coverage
shifts between full coverage for all
students or need-based coverage for
students that families must apply for.
Neumann, who has worked in
food service for 28 years, has seen
the swings when program fundings
change.
“When lunches are free, we will
serve between 240-280 lunches per
day and up to 150 breakfasts,” said
Neumann. “When the free lunch
programs end and families must
apply, those numbers drop to under
200 lunches and 100 breakfasts,”
Neumann said she theorizes that
some eligible families may be too
ashamed to apply.
Neumann has lived in the district
since the late 1970s and put two
daughters through the school, so
she’s very aware of need in the
semi-rural district that covers parts
of Albany and Greene counties.
“There are people working two to
three jobs to make ends meet,” said
Neumann. “Myself, I work a second
job and pick up extra work with
summer programs and other school
programs.”
Neumann’s day starts at 5:30 a.m.
with prepping meals and serving
breakfasts. By 11 a.m., lunch is ready
and Neumann jumps on the register.
After lunch, she’s back prepping
for the next day and will leave
breakfast sandwiches in the
refrigerator so they are ready to go
in the morning.
Neumann loves to bake and
is most proud of her homemade
stuffing that is served on “Turkey &
Gravy Day.” Pizza is always popular,
but the top choice for middle
schoolers is Nacho Day.
With the impact of inflation
hurting family budgets and now a
global tariff war, Yale University’s
Budget Lab estimates an overall
2.8 percent increase in groceries
over the next months, with more
nutritious foods like produce seeing
the largest increases.
Global supply chain tariffs on
products manufactured outside
the United States will translate to
middle-income families taking an
additional hit of $3,400 a year to
family budgets, based on the Yale
estimates.
School meal programs
serve up vital need
Lunch Aide Nickie Traver works
behind the counter at lunch.
Neumann said she feels better
knowing that some kids are getting
two meals at school but she’s
mindful of the times outside of
school.
“We have kids who over breaks
will not have many meals,” said
Neumann.
Local pantries and other programs
help to bridge the gap, but those
programs are stretched thin. She
knows the kids on her line, as well as
their families, and she worries about
them.
“I served their parents when
they were in middle school,” said
Neumann.
Neumann sees the impacts of
generational poverty and shares a
deep connection to her neighbors.
“I always worry about the kids,”
said Neumann. “They’re my kids.”
— Therese Assalian
Ravena-Coeymans-
Selkirk School
District Unit
President Cindy
Neumann helps
prepare school
meals as a senior
cook.