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Chobani delivers free yogurt to Oxford Academy
Oxford Food Service Director Deb Morris and Chobani Community Impact Specialist Kristie Baker take a moment during the visit from Chobani to the Oxford Academy. Chobani donated 240 cases of yogurt and will continue donating through the year. The annual savings of more than $15,000 will support the school, while ensuring students have regular access to additional healthy food. (Photo by Kathryn Rutz, Public Information Specialist for DCMO Boces)
OXFORD — A regular work day at the Oxford Academy proved to be an extraordinary day when the brightly-painted Chobani trailer pulled into the school parking lot to unload 240 cases of fresh fruit-filled yogurt.
Chobani Community Impact Specialist Kristi Baker and Volunteer Paul Baker made the first delivery of what will be monthly deliveries throughout the Academy’s school year.
“I received a phone call from Chobani representative Kristi Baker. She asked if we could use some yogurt and if so, how much would we like,” said Oxford Academy Food Service Director Deb Morris.
“How could I say no, these people are just unbelievable,” said Morris. “I did some quick math and with our current student population of just over 700 kids, of which most receive breakfast and lunch meals, I came up with the need for 240 cases.”
She said their first delivery was on April 11, and with all hands on deck, they helped unload the truck and load the cases into the cafeteria.
Morris said, “This will help Oxford Academy realize an annual savings of over $15,000 while ensuring students have regular access to this treat.”
“I’ll be gauging the case load to see how the numbers work and may change it up, but we’ll see,” Morris said. “We’re also going to offer this with our snack time, which is between the two meals. We call it 'Room Service.' The kids get such a kick out of that.”
Morris said she has a history with Chobani that dates back to 2018, when she was in her first year at the Academy. She said she received a call from Chobani Marketing Representative Don Brown, asking what their student meal account balance was.
“I answered, it’s really not pretty, but it’s an accumulation over the years, and we’re actually in the negative of $27,000,” said Morris. “A couple months later, Chobani cut us a check and we were able to pay off and balance our budget, which was probably the first time in multiple years.”
“We were pretty happy and I cried my head off,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the generosity.”
She said Chobani thanked them and said they were the real heroes.
“That was nice for a company from our local community to recognize us and appreciate what we do,” Morris said. “That was the beginning of my relationship with Chobani yogurt.”
Morris continued to explain additional support given by Chobani in the past few years.
“During COVID-19, they recognized we were providing take out meals for the families and students that weren’t in school, and they wanted to provide product to help the Academy with that,” she said. “They were plenty generous in providing product for the meals, and also for our summer programs. That has become an ongoing thing.”
“And now, they're generously providing fresh, delicious, high-quality yogurt, available for free to all of our students through the year,” she added.
“We cannot adequately express our heartfelt appreciation for all the great Chobani yogurt products,” said Morris. “But also, it’s been a great opportunity to meet these wonderful people, who proudly stand behind their company, and who generously support students in many of our local schools. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Morris also gave a big thanks to the staff and administration that helped unload on short notice. She said the lunchtime delivery meant the cafeteria team was extra busy, but they made it work
She said she’s been in the food service business since she was a teen and has a culinary background along with 31 years in the Air Force. She said she also worked in country clubs, restaurants, nursing homes, and part time at a prison.
“I will say this has been the best part of my career because it's so rewarding and enjoyable,” Morris said. “It’s really been a blast, and the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and grow with has been unbelievable.”
She said she believes Chobani hand picks the right people for their jobs, and every single person she has met through the company has a high caliber of work ethic and big hearts. She said they have what it takes to exude a high level of quality and enthusiasm, and it appears they love what they do.
“The product speaks for itself. The kids love the yogurt, it’s good for them, and it speaks volumes to everything we do here at the Academy, giving the students top-shelf quality and quantity for a nutritious and balanced meal," said Morris. “I’m very grateful.”
Chobani Community Impact Specialist Kristi Baker and Volunteer Paul Baker made the first delivery of what will be monthly deliveries throughout the Academy’s school year.
“I received a phone call from Chobani representative Kristi Baker. She asked if we could use some yogurt and if so, how much would we like,” said Oxford Academy Food Service Director Deb Morris.
“How could I say no, these people are just unbelievable,” said Morris. “I did some quick math and with our current student population of just over 700 kids, of which most receive breakfast and lunch meals, I came up with the need for 240 cases.”
She said their first delivery was on April 11, and with all hands on deck, they helped unload the truck and load the cases into the cafeteria.
Morris said, “This will help Oxford Academy realize an annual savings of over $15,000 while ensuring students have regular access to this treat.”
“I’ll be gauging the case load to see how the numbers work and may change it up, but we’ll see,” Morris said. “We’re also going to offer this with our snack time, which is between the two meals. We call it 'Room Service.' The kids get such a kick out of that.”
Morris said she has a history with Chobani that dates back to 2018, when she was in her first year at the Academy. She said she received a call from Chobani Marketing Representative Don Brown, asking what their student meal account balance was.
“I answered, it’s really not pretty, but it’s an accumulation over the years, and we’re actually in the negative of $27,000,” said Morris. “A couple months later, Chobani cut us a check and we were able to pay off and balance our budget, which was probably the first time in multiple years.”
“We were pretty happy and I cried my head off,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the generosity.”
She said Chobani thanked them and said they were the real heroes.
“That was nice for a company from our local community to recognize us and appreciate what we do,” Morris said. “That was the beginning of my relationship with Chobani yogurt.”
Morris continued to explain additional support given by Chobani in the past few years.
“During COVID-19, they recognized we were providing take out meals for the families and students that weren’t in school, and they wanted to provide product to help the Academy with that,” she said. “They were plenty generous in providing product for the meals, and also for our summer programs. That has become an ongoing thing.”
“And now, they're generously providing fresh, delicious, high-quality yogurt, available for free to all of our students through the year,” she added.
“We cannot adequately express our heartfelt appreciation for all the great Chobani yogurt products,” said Morris. “But also, it’s been a great opportunity to meet these wonderful people, who proudly stand behind their company, and who generously support students in many of our local schools. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Morris also gave a big thanks to the staff and administration that helped unload on short notice. She said the lunchtime delivery meant the cafeteria team was extra busy, but they made it work
She said she’s been in the food service business since she was a teen and has a culinary background along with 31 years in the Air Force. She said she also worked in country clubs, restaurants, nursing homes, and part time at a prison.
“I will say this has been the best part of my career because it's so rewarding and enjoyable,” Morris said. “It’s really been a blast, and the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and grow with has been unbelievable.”
She said she believes Chobani hand picks the right people for their jobs, and every single person she has met through the company has a high caliber of work ethic and big hearts. She said they have what it takes to exude a high level of quality and enthusiasm, and it appears they love what they do.
“The product speaks for itself. The kids love the yogurt, it’s good for them, and it speaks volumes to everything we do here at the Academy, giving the students top-shelf quality and quantity for a nutritious and balanced meal," said Morris. “I’m very grateful.”
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