School foodservice pioneer Flanagan dies at 94

Nation's Restaurant News, March 18, 2002

TAMPA, FLA. -- Thelma Flanagan, one of the founders of the American School Food Service Association, recently died here. She was 94.

Flanagan, a school foodservice professional in Florida for many years, was one of the lobbyists who helped convince Congress to pass the National School Lunch Act in 1946. She was ASFSA president from 1949 to 1950, during which time she was credited with trying to model the organization of the association along the lines of allied groups, such as the American Dietetics Association and the National Education Association.

Flanagan has an award named after her -- the Thelma Flanagan Gold Award -- which recognizes states that excel in, meeting ASFSA's Plan of Action.