Pickerington Schools Earn 2024 Food Safety Gold Medal!
Back-to-Back Gold for Three Schools—First-Time Wins for Two More!
March 28, 2025 – Pickerington, OH – Excellence is on the menu at Harmon Middle School, Lakeview Junior High School, Violet Elementary School Café, Toll Gate Elementary School, and Toll Gate Middle School! These schools’ food services teams have been recognized with the 2024 Food Safety Gold Medal Award from the Fairfield County Health Department (FCHD) for their outstanding commitment to food safety.
For Harmon Middle School, Lakeview Junior High, and Violet Elementary, this marks their second consecutive year earning the prestigious award. And this year, Toll Gate Elementary and Toll Gate Middle Schools join the ranks as first-time Gold Medal recipients!
This elite recognition is awarded to food service operations that uphold the highest food safety standards throughout the year. As part of this honor, each school will proudly display a Gold Medal decal in its cafeteria—signifying their dedication to providing students with safe, high-quality meals.
What It Takes to Earn Gold
The Gold Medal Award Program highlights food service operations and retail establishments that demonstrate exceptional food safety practices. To qualify, operations must complete the licensing year without a single critical or non-critical violation during routine health inspections.
“Our food service teams work diligently to ensure our kitchens are a safe and sanitary environment for our students,” said Pickerington Local Schools’ Food Service Supervisor Suzie Gerhardt. “This recognition is evident in their work. This award is offered through the Fairfield County Health Department. Not all of the PLSD schools are inspected by the FCHD. Some of the schools are inspected by the Franklin County Health Department, and one school is inspected by the City of Columbus Health Department.”
Each year, schools undergo a minimum of two inspections, along with a full hazard analysis that includes monitoring food temperatures, dishwashing procedures, kitchen cleanliness, storeroom and cooler organization, staff certification, and adherence to stringent safety protocols.
Voices from Our Food Service Managers:
Harmon Middle School
“I appreciate the recognition for my crew,” said Harmon Middle School Kitchen Manager Tina Emerson. “We work very hard to keep the equipment up and keep the food safe. It’s important because some kids don’t always get warm meals at home because their parents may be working. You can’t sit in class and be hungry, so it’s important that they get nutritional meals to eat. Sometimes, lunch is the happiest part of the day… Everybody loves to eat,” emphasized Emerson.
Lakeview Junior High School Café
“We are very proud to receive this award,” said Lakeview Junior High School Café Kitchen Manager Kelly Dudziak. “We all work very hard and well together, making sure that we follow procedures and serve healthy meals."
Violet Elementary School Café
“This is important for the health and wellness of our students and staff at Violet,” emphasized Violet Elementary School Head Cook Laura Bafia. “We are blessed to have conscientious and caring staff in the kitchen. This Medal means that our kitchen is clean and the food is prepared well, and is cooked at held at the required temperature. “We have earned the Gold Medal for two years in a row, so that is a great accomplishment,” she added.
Toll Gate Elementary & Middle School Crew
“The Toll Gate team is dedicated and works hard every day to serve our kids' meals and to maintain our kitchen,” said Toll Gate Elementary and Middle Schools’ Kitchen Manager Joni Hart. “We greatly appreciate being recognized for our contribution.”
Since 2023, the number of Gold Medal recipients in Fairfield County has grown from around 80 to 135 in 2024, with mobile food facilities now included in the program.
Congratulations to the food services teams at Harmon Middle School, Lakeview Junior High, Violet, Toll Gate Elementary, and Toll Gate Middle for this outstanding achievement! Your hard work and commitment to food safety are truly making a difference for Pickerington students.
