Has Your Hairnet Expired?

Can you believe the classic lunch lady stereotype still exists? When I was a young School Nutrition Director in 1993, Adam Sandler released the song Lunchlady Land on his album They're Gonna Laugh At You. He performed it on Saturday Night Live with Chris Farley parading around in orthopedic shoes, apron, gloves and yes, you guessed it, a hairnet. His look in this sketch inspired Halloween costumes you still see today. It was funny unless you worked in School Nutrition because it set the stage for how millions of people view the profession.

Gaining Respect as Professionals

Part of the problem is perception. How many people actually know what you do? Because students, parents and school staff rarely, if ever, get to see what goes on in the "back of the house," a lot is left to their imagination. Hairnets worn with the knot in the middle of the forehead remind your customers of the old stereotype. Believe me, there are better alternatives for you. You can find 3-4" cotton headbands that are moisture wicking, a definite plus in hot kitchens. Uniforms or matching shirts make you look like a team of pros. Always check with your Director and local health departments to get approval before making any changes.

Why Care About a Professional Image?

Change is hard, but I know firsthand how quickly you pivoted during Covid. You found solutions and fed the community when no one else would. Now it's time for change that benefits you.

In nearly every industry, image drives perception, and perception drives value. Nurses, chefs, baristas, and teachers have all undergone image makeovers in recent years, elevating public appreciation and wages. Meanwhile, school nutrition staff are still viewed as low-skilled workers, despite the fact that they are required to prepare healthy meals, navigate strict USDA guidelines, manage budgets, plan menus, accommodate special diets and often do it all short-staffed and under pressure.

This disconnect between skill and perception is a major reason the pay doesn’t reflect the professionalism. If the community doesn’t see the value in your work, they won’t advocate for better compensation. And if school districts don’t recognize the professionalism behind the job, they won’t prioritize competitive pay.

I write this from a place of deep respect and often feel that we can be our own worst enemy. If you don't see yourself as a professional, no one else will. You are not "just a lunchlady."

The work you do is skilled. Have you read job descriptions for line cooks, prep cooks and sous chefs? Their duties are the same ones you perform every day. It's time to embrace personal change in order to gain the respect you deserve and the pay that you're worth. When your customers see you as professionals in your school restaurant, participation increases and that means more revenue for your program's payroll. Pride in your work builds confidence—and confidence is contagious.

Professional uniform and hair restraint.

School nutrition today is about more than feeding kids—it’s about kitchen efficiency, cooking competence, nutrition education, food safety, financial management and marketing. And, as trained professionals, it’s time the world sees that! You already have the skills—it’s time to claim the respect, compensation and pride that come with them.