Local woman named "Lunch Hero of the Year"

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- When students walk into the cafeteria at Fonda-Fultonville Schools, they’re not just getting a meal—they’re getting a piece of Mrs. Jill Gulick’s heart. This year, her dedication earned her a regional honor: being named the "2025 Lunch Hero of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region." But for the kids she serves every day, she’s been a hero all along.

In the halls of Fonda-Fultonville Schools, there’s one place students can count on for a smile and a warm meal—in the cafeteria with Jill Gulick. Her day begins at 6 a.m., and she said that a lot of the food isn’t prepackage, it’s homemade.

Jill knows food is more than fuel. For many students, it’s a source of comfort, and sometimes the most consistent part of their day. She and her team serve over a thousand meals daily across 3 cafeterias, reaching every student from elementary through high school.

This year, that care earned her the title of "2025 Lunch Hero of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region"—an honor from food service “Chartwells K-12” for going above and beyond in school nutrition. Out of more than 100 nominations from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, Jill stood out.

For Gulick, the real reward isn’t the title or the trophy, but knowing that a simple lunch can bring nourishment, joy, and connection to the kids she loves. "There are a lot of kids in the school that I have gotten to know a lot better because of the lunch, and I just think there's a lot of kids that don't get the nutrition at home that they need. And you can tell which ones need more than others and you can tell which ones need somebody to talk to." said Gulick.