Tory Gibson; Student Engagement Manager; Horry County Schools; Conway, South Carolina
When it comes to school nutrition, Tory Gibson brings unparalleled energy and creativity to the table. She joined the interview wearing a vivid, fruit-print hat and a contagious smile. Next to her sat a collection of food-themed props and puppets. From there, it was clear that Tory is truly one of a kind. As the student engagement manager for a district with 54 schools and 48,000 students, Tory has made it her mission to transform the cafeteria experience into something students look forward to every day.
Her journey in school nutrition started as an assistant manager, after previously working as a deli/bakery manager in a grocery store. She quickly moved up to cafeteria manager at a high school where she found herself navigating one of the biggest challenges in recent history: COVID-19.
At the height of the pandemic, she was helping feed over 1,000 students daily, stepping in wherever was needed. It was during this time that her leadership and versatility shined, earning her a new role as a floating manager, filling in at different schools and bringing stability where it was needed most.
She now works hard to elevate how students connect with their meals. Tory is not just marketing school meals and nutrition, she’s creating memorable experiences. Her presence is so impactful that when students see her signature inflatable milk bottle display in their cafeteria, they know she’s there to make their meals a little more special.
One of Tory’s biggest strengths is finding fun, interactive ways to encourage kids to participate in school meals. She has introduced food-themed puppets like Sammie the Sandwich, Spencer the Spinach, and Oscar the Orange to make healthy eating more exciting for young students. “Kids are such visual learners,” Tory explains. “Anything you can do to get them engaged can be so beneficial.” She’s already worked with more than 18 pre-K and kindergarten classes, teaching them about the importance of balanced meals through games, music, and hands-on food displays.
Tory’s influence extends beyond the cafeteria, she’s also a social media powerhouse. Every Friday during the 2023-24 school year, she has posted an upbeat video with a motivational message and song, keeping students and staff engaged even outside of school hours. It has become an ongoing tradition everyone genuinely looks forward to.
Tory isn’t just about fun, she’s also driving real change. By engaging with kids and promoting school meals, she’s seen participation steadily increase. Small but creative efforts, like arranging baby carrots and cucumbers into the number “100” for the 100th day of school, turn everyday meals into celebrations that students want to be a part of. “Every day I make a point to walk the tables,” Tory says. “Just like at a restaurant when the waiter comes around to check to see if you like everything, that’s what I do. And I make sure we get lots of thumbs up.”
Tory dreams big. She envisions a nationwide initiative to revamp school cafeterias, transforming everything from furniture to menu offerings to create a more inviting, exciting environment for students. Picture reality makeover shows like Bar Rescue and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition but for school cafeterias. Her ultimate goal? To take this passion on the road and bring meaningful enhancements to schools across the country.
Colleagues describe Tory as genuinely happy, energetic, and always willing to listen. She respects the different working styles of her team members, understands the importance of staff input, and knows that students aren’t the only ones who need support — employees and parents also play crucial roles in making school meal programs successful. Whether it’s “Donuts with Dad,” “Muffins with Mom,” or simply listening to real-time feedback from cafeteria staff, Tory believes in a community-driven approach to school nutrition.
Tory also works closely with the district’s nutrition director to introduce new products in exciting ways. From bringing in a disco ball to bringing along her inflatable milk carton, she knows that presentation matters. Her menus are supported with individually wrapped items from General Mills Foodservice such as Pillsbury™ Apple Frudel, Pillsbury™ Mini Cinnis, Pillsbury™ Mini Waffles, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal bars.
Tory Gibson isn’t just running a school meal program, she’s building a movement. By making cafeterias more engaging, listening to students and staff, and dreaming of a future where every school dining space is transformed, she’s proving that school meals can be so much more than just food. They’re an experience, a connection, and most importantly, a moment of joy in students’ days.