CDC vet knows what's cooking

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  It all began 35 years ago in a summer feeding program. Joyce Milton worked as a bread and vegetable cook for 10 years for the Caddo Parish School System until she came to the Child Development Center in July 1984. 

Ms. Milton prepares breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and serves the meals. After all that, she then cleans and sanitizes the kitchen area. 

"I knew I wanted to be a cook when I was in Home Economics class in school because our teacher said in order to get a husband you needed to know how to cook," said Ms. Milton. "I love what I do and I try to do the best that I can do for the children. When I enter a classroom and get the big smiles and hugs, I know my coming to work every day is worth it." 

She also does the paperwork for the U.S. Department Agriculture and meal counts as well as order food for upcoming weeks. 

Snacks served at the CDC are USDA certified and must meet dietary standards approved by Air Combat Command. Other programs may not offer snacks or meals unless supplied by parents. 

"Spaghetti is my favorite dish to cook," said Ms. Milton. "Because it's one of the children's favorites, they would eat it and green beans every day if we served it." 

Ms. Milton was a 1973 graduate of C.E. Byrd High school and a 1975 graduate of Graughn Norten Business School. "My Home Economics teacher inspired me to become a cook and my mentor is a dietician in the Caddo Parish School System for the Child Food Program," said Ms. Milton. 

Some of Ms. Milton's hobbies are working with the youth department at her church, cooking, reading and sewing. 

"She always maintains a positive attitude and has a great relationship with her co-workers," said Betsy Welch, Director of the Child development center. "Without her we don't eat."