For More Information, Call:

Robert E. Sanders Executive Vice President Opaa! Food Management, Inc. 636-812-0777 x180

For Release 9:00 AM CDT August 9, 2002

At its annual Summer Retreat July 30 - August 1, 2002, Opaa! Food Management announced Linda Jones, Opaa's Director of Nutrition Services for the Aurora R-VIII School District as the recipient of the Director of the Year award. Company officials selected Linda as Director of the Year from among all of Opaa's Directors' of Nutrition Services across the state of Missouri. The criteria for selection included top ranking in the categories of creative marketing, employee training, employee safety, fiscal performance, and student and adult participation.

Linda has been Opaa's Director of Nutrition Services at the Aurora R-VIII School District since 1994. Linda and her husband Larry live in Springfield and they have a son Scott who is a high school teacher in Leavenworth, Kansas. In her spare time, Linda runs a blackberry farm, "The Berry Connection" and enjoys cooking and crafting.

As Director of Nutrition Services, Linda supervised four serving sites in the Aurora R-VIII School District. As to her selection, Linda said "this award is in reality a recognition of a great food service staff in Aurora. They understand that it is their mission to take care of the children's nutritional needs everyday."

Earlier this summer, Linda was promoted to a position of Director of Development for Opaa! Food Management. In this position, she will act as a mentor to Opaa's staff of Directors of Nutrition Services across the state. Linda will also head up Opaa's marketing and promotions and menu development programs.

Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Ellisville, Missouri, and is celebrating its 25th year of operation. Opaa currently operates the nutrition programs for 42 Missouri school districts and has been serving the nutritional requirements of the Aurora R-VIII School District since 1989.