Leah Botko, SNS

Director of Food and Nutrition, Old Orchard Beach School District

Leah Botko is the Director of Food and Nutrition at Old Orchard Beach in Maine, where she leads an award-winning School Nutrition program celebrated for its balance of health, flavor, and innovation.
A dedicated advocate for confronting the stigma against school lunch and reimagining it for a better future, Leah is an active member of Scratchworks and the Healthy Kids Collaborative, where she promotes speed-scratch cooking, culturally diverse menus, and strong partnerships with local food producers. Her work transforms cafeterias into welcoming spaces that foster connection, joy, and nourishment for all students.
Leah holds a degree in Nutrition from Framingham State University and speaks on topics including school food equity, universal meal access, and sustainable program design. She is especially passionate about eliminating lunch debt, recognizing its deep impact on student dignity and well-being.
For Leah, this mission is more than professional, it is deeply personal, guiding her commitment to ensuring every child has access to nutritious, inclusive meals every day. (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) linkedin.com/in/leah-botko-sns-9520034b/