Family Company Erases $200K in School Lunch Debt for 5,000 Kids

More than 5,000 students in Seminole County, Florida just got a fresh start, thanks to a family business celebrating 100 years of success by giving back.

DUDA, a family-operated agriculture and real estate company, donated $200,000 to the nonprofit All for Lunch to completely eliminate school lunch debt for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The gift clears balances for over 3,600 students receiving free meals and another 1,425 on the reduced-price program.

"No child should carry the weight of a lunch debt," said Tracy Duda Chapman, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at DUDA. The family presented the check Tuesday at Pine Crest Elementary, turning what could have been just a birthday celebration into a community game-changer.

Emily Duda Buckley, who leads the company's community relations and philanthropy work, explained the thinking behind the donation. "Education begins with meeting basic needs," she said. "Clearing school lunch debt helps remove a quiet but very real barrier for students and families."

That barrier affects far more kids than many realize. About 1 in 6 children in Central Florida face hunger on any given day, according to local estimates.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond the cafeteria line. Parents who've been quietly struggling with tight budgets month after month can finally breathe easier. Teachers can focus on teaching instead of worrying about which students might be going hungry.

All for Lunch founder Alessandra Ferrara-Miller saw the transformation immediately. "This gift didn't just erase debt," she said. "It offers relief for families navigating tight household budgets month-to-month."

Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Serita Beamon called the donation extraordinary. "This support provides a fresh start for many of our families and helps to ensure students can focus on learning," she said.

The Duda family's generosity is already inspiring others to join in. All for Lunch created a special donation page honoring DUDA's 100th anniversary, inviting anyone in Central Florida to contribute and keep the momentum going.

When one family shares its blessings, thousands of other families feel the difference.