Lucy R. Albera
Lakewood,CA
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven nutrition services professional with over 13 years of experience in public and charter school food service, including six years as a director. Expertise in school meal programs, compliance, fiscal management, menu planning, and staff development. Passionate about providing nutritious meals and promoting wellness in school communities.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director Student Nutrition Services
Paramount Unified School District
01.2019 - Current
- Plans, organizes, and directs Nutrition Services operations while ensuring compliance with USDA, CDE, and local regulations
- Oversees budgets, purchasing, procurement, and USDA commodity programs to optimize financial resources and maintain cost-effective operations
- Develops nutritious, compliant meal plans, maximizes USDA commodity usage, and provides guidance to students, parents, and staff
- Manages personnel, schedules work, evaluates performance, and implements professional development programs to enhance service quality
- Ensures food service operations meet health, safety, and sanitation standards while implementing quality control procedures
- Builds relationships with students, parents, administrators, and community partners to promote nutrition education, wellness initiatives, and positive public relations
- Establishes policies, standard operating procedures, and integrates technology systems to improve service delivery and efficiency
- Oversees audits, maintains documentation, and ensures all meal programs comply with federal, state, and local health regulations
- Develops contingency plans for food service operations during emergencies, school closures, or disasters to ensure meal accessibility
- Collaborates with government agencies and district stakeholders to influence policies and sustain a comprehensive student wellness program
Nutrition Specialist
Paramount Unified School District
06.2014 - 01.2019
- Assisted with managing the nutrition services department day to day operations
- Assisted with kitchen site visits to ensure quality food production and adherence to district safety standards for all K-12 cafeterias
- Assisted food service workers in preparing and serving meals, ensuring food safety and quality control
- Analyzed and developed menu patterns, recipes, menu instructions and production records
- Assisted the catering staff with food preparation for district catering events
- Assisted with the off-site and on-site assessment tools for the Administrative Review Audit to assure compliance with federal and state laws, regulation, policies and procedures
- Assisted nutrition services department with preparing for the budget, bids, profit and loss and inventory statements
- Created Standard and Therapeutic Menus for K-12 grades and conduct nutrition analysis
- Presented on The Pathway of Becoming a Nutritionist for culinary classes at the High School
- Attended and participated in monthly manager meetings and presented on How to Identify A Reimbursable Meals
- Attended and participated in the nutrition services department and district meetings
Nutrition Consultant for Charter Schools
Better 4 You Breakfast & Royal Dining
07.2012 - 06.2014
- Helped manage the nutrition department's day-to-day operations
- Oversaw the production team to ensure proper portion sizes of all meals and snacks
- Created Standard and Therapeutic Menus for K-12 grades and conducted nutrient analysis and production records
- Conduct biweekly food tastings at schools and get student feedback on surveys
- Presented on The New Meal Pattern at back-to-school nights for parents and guardians
- Attended weekly business meetings and student committee meetings with the school board
Food Service Worker
Torrance Unified School District
02.2012 - 06.2012
- Prepared and served lunches, ensuring food safety, and quality control and up-keep of kitchen
- Assisted Satellite Operator with computer work during lunch service
- Supported team members during peak hours, ensuring smooth operations and minimal wait times for students.
- Maintained safety standards by properly handling food and adhering to sanitation guidelines.
- Operated cash register accurately, managing transactions efficiently while providing excellent customer service.
USU Dietetic Intern
Torrance Unified School District
10.2011 - 02.2012
- Assisted with kitchen site visits and employee performance evaluations to ensure quality food production and adherence to district safety standards and assisted with site daily operations
- Attended and participated in the foodservice department and district meetings
- Prepared Elementary School Lunch Menus, nutrition analysis, and production sheets
- Assisted in the management of food service operations, ensuring compliance with safety and sanitation regulations while maintaining high-quality food standards.
- Actively sought feedback from supervisors during rotations to continuously improve skills and knowledge related to dietetics practice.
Bakery Assistant/Cashier/Catering/Deli/Server
Giuliano's Delicatessen
01.2002 - 06.2011
- Managed opening and closing of daily operations
- Assist customers with dine-in or takeout orders in all departments over the phone and inside the store
- Describe and attained detailed knowledge of ingredients of menu items
- Helped create pastries, cookies, fruit, vegetable, and cheese and meat trays for catering
- Reconciled daily cash registers and assisted with inventory management
- Maintained clean, organized kitchen to maximize efficiency and food safety.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and handling special requests for catering orders.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by collaborating with team members and assisting in various tasks as needed.
Volunteer for Food Service Department
Torrance Unified School District
10.2010 - 02.2011
- Assisted food service workers in preparing and serving meals, ensuring food safety, and quality control
- Assisted with inventory of all food and supplies for the kitchen
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
Volunteer for 2nd- 5th Graders
Long Beach Blast Nonprofit Organization
09.2008 - 09.2009
- Helped at-risk children with their weekly homework assignments
- Planted vegetables and herbs in their community garden and did a monthly cooking demo
- Assisted and participated with teaching nutrition education, physical activity, and gardening classes
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others
Education
Dietetic Distance Internship Certificate - Nutrition And Dietetics
Utah State University
Salt Lake City, UT02.2012
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition and Food Administration
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05.2010
Associate of Science - Transfer Studies
El Camino College
Torrance, CA05-2007
Skills
- Charismatic & Empathetic Leader
- Team Building & Collaboration
- Operation, Project, Facility, Budget & Employee Management
- School Community & Vendor Relationship Building
- Staff Training & Development
- Creative & Innovative
- Active Listening & Supportive Communication
- Clear Verbal and Written Communication
- Customer service & Adaptability
- Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Nutrikids (Heartland School Solutions)
- eTrition (Harris School Solutions – POS)
Accomplishments
- Led the Nutrition Services Department, overseeing a team of 120 staff members across 20 school cafeterias.
- Managed daily meal service for approximately 4,000 breakfasts, 8,000 lunches, and over 1,000 suppers and snacks.
- Administered budgets of $10.9 million for the School Nutrition Program and $1.3 million for the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program.
- Supervised the allocation of $671,000 in USDA Entitlement for the Food Distribution Program.
- Successfully passed all Administrative Reviews for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (Supper & Snack), and Seamless Summer Feeding Program.
- Developed and managed the department's Instagram page, collaborating with the Social Media Team to share video clips and flyers while highlighting key nutrition events.
Activities & Leadership
- Member Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society, CSULB, Fall 2009-Spring 2010
- Students Active In Community Health (SACH), CSULB, Fall 2009-Spring 2010
- Student Dietetic Association Member, CSULB, Fall 2007-Spring 2010
- Symposium Co-Chair Officer, CSULB, Fall 2008-Spring 2009
- California Dietetic Association Member, 2011-present
- California School Nutrition Association Member & Level 4 Certificate, 2011-present
- American Dietetic Association Member/Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member, 2008-present
- California School Nutrition Association Chapter 1 Nominating Committee Member, 2023-2024
Certification
- ServSafe Food Handler's Certification
- Registered Dietitian Eligible Certification
- California School Nutrition Association Level 4 Certification
- CA Driver's License
Languages
English
Awards
- President’s Honor List, CSULB: Fall 2008, Fall 2009, & Spring 2010
- Dean’s Honor List, CSULB, Spring 2008
- Hunger Hero Award, No Kid Hungry Nonprofit Organization, Fall 2020
- Certificate of Recognition, PUSD Nutrition Services Department, Spring 2021
Timeline
Director Student Nutrition Services
Paramount Unified School District
01.2019 - Current
Nutrition Specialist
Paramount Unified School District
06.2014 - 01.2019
Nutrition Consultant for Charter Schools
Better 4 You Breakfast & Royal Dining
07.2012 - 06.2014
Food Service Worker
Torrance Unified School District
02.2012 - 06.2012
USU Dietetic Intern
Torrance Unified School District
10.2011 - 02.2012
Volunteer for Food Service Department
Torrance Unified School District
10.2010 - 02.2011
Volunteer for 2nd- 5th Graders
Long Beach Blast Nonprofit Organization
09.2008 - 09.2009
Bakery Assistant/Cashier/Catering/Deli/Server
Giuliano's Delicatessen
01.2002 - 06.2011
Dietetic Distance Internship Certificate - Nutrition And Dietetics
Utah State University
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition and Food Administration
California State University, Long Beach
Associate of Science - Transfer Studies
El Camino College