Due to COVID-19, schools statewide stopped allowing homemade treats from being brought in for special occasions. Child Nutrition Director Jason Swanson and his team at Knoxville Schools felt that special occasions deserved more than prepackaged treats. Knoxville Community Schools Superintendent Cassi Pearson tells KNIA/KRLS News about Swanson and his team’s decision.

“Jason and his team decided that our kids deserve some homemade bakery treats for birthdays. And so, they offer that service that parents can call and order cupcakes, mini cupcakes, cookies, and then they can take those directly to the classroom and kids can still have those homemade birthday treats just through our food service.”

The district served 210,000 meals last year.