Hinsdale Public Schools Celebrates Food as a Way to Improve Kids' Health: A Community Film Launching May 4th

Hinsdale Public Schools is one of only six Montana community organizations selected by The Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger (MT-PECH) for inclusion in a new series of short, seven-minute films about local leaders who are building community health through food. "This isn't about telling communities what they should do," said Lisa Lee, Co-Executive Director at MT-PECH. "It's about showing what other Montana communities already are doing-and making it easier for people to take those ideas and run with them." Each film offers a different model for other communities to explore.

In Hinsdale, "Our meals are well prepared, really tasty and we have a variety of options to choose from. It gives us brain fuel, which we need at school," says twelfth-grade student CharLee. Hinsdale teacher Kristine Bowman shared a similar sentiment, saying, "I think our school lunch program is fantastic. It's highly important for kids to think properly, to grow and develop their bodies as well as their brains."

Adam Zopp, Superintendent at Hinsdale Public Schools, stresses the importance of including Montana-grown food in school meals and notes that the school board is supportive because members want the best for their students and that means making sure meals can be cooked from scratch with fresh, quality food.

"The kids love fresh vegetables. They know when I give them a store bought tomato," noted Joyce Leatherberry, the school's assistant cook. Leatherberry and head cook Mabel Mix are sisters with deep roots in the Hinsdale community. "Our school is really the hub of this community and our cafeteria lunchroom is kind of the hub of the school. So, in essence, Joyce and Mabel tend to be at the center of what makes this community very special," says Zopp. "Food tends to be a centerpiece for many of the things we do.

"For some of these kiddos, the best meal that they're going to get is at school," Zopp added. "And we want not only the food that these kids are eating to be as nutritious as possible but that the environment that they get to eat it in is stress free. And fun. Don't forget fun."

Mix and Leatherberry find any and every excuse to celebrate food, create belonging and make memories that last a lifetime for Hinsdale students. According to fourth-grader Rory, these school nutrition professionals "Make it fun for everyone. They dress up for whatever type of holiday it is and put decorations up."

Leatherberry says she wants the kitchen to look like it's a home. She and Mix celebrate something every month with special menus to match. "If I got paid a million dollars today, I'd still come to work," Mix says. "I wouldn't quit. I love my job. I love the kids."

MT-PECH created the film celebrating Hinsdale Public Schools in partnership with Stories for Action and Headwaters Foundation. It will be released May 4, 2026, and available on the MT-PECH website at http://www.mtpech.org, and on the nonprofit's YouTube Channel located here.