Odyssey Charter School, Inc.

Palm Bay, FL — Thursday, December 11 — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD, joined health and education leaders, national nutrition experts, and community dignitaries at Odyssey Charter School Elementary for a special convening focused on “The Future of Healthy School Lunches” and Odyssey’s 26-year journey on becoming a healthy school model.

Dr. Ladapo was welcomed by the Odyssey Board of Directors and Odyssey founder Constance Ortiz, along with leaders from School of Lunch (SŌL) and MAHA. Guests toured Odyssey Elementary, explored the school’s healthy, wellness-centered campus, and visited its organic gardens.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s Surgeon General, Ms. Constance Ortiz, School Founder, and Ms. Hilary Boynton, Founder of School of Lunch, enjoying a specially prepared healthy lunch!

A highlight of the visit was a specially prepared School of Lunch meal featuring nutrient-dense, whole foods designed to model how children are optimally nourished. School of Lunch founders Hilary Boynton and Charles Barth traveled to Odyssey to work side-by-side with Odyssey and School of Lunch chefs, showcasing scratch-cooked meals that prioritize protein, healthy fats, and real ingredients.

The program also addressed the policy and research pathways needed to move school nutrition forward. Deirdre Goldfarb, SOL West Foundation board member and general counsel for MAHA Action Inc., outlined key regulatory hurdles and implementation barriers. Dr. Nina Teicholz, a nutrition researcher, spoke about a proposed children’s health research initiative to study the impact of improved school nutrition on student health, behavior, and learning.

“Schools are on the front lines of children’s health,” said Ortiz. “Many children eat 60-70% of their daily food at school.  This visit affirmed that Odyssey is ready now to lead the nation—with real food, a healthy campus, and strong partnerships—toward a model that can scale nationally.”

About Odyssey Charter School, Inc.

Odyssey Charter School, Inc. is a non-profit Florida public charter school organization dedicated to whole-child education, integrating health and wellness with rigorous learning so students thrive in body, mind, and spirit.  For more information about Odyssey’s healthy school model, call Dr. Monica Knight, Director of Quality Schools and Special Projects at (321) 446-6659 or email mknight@greenappleschools.com.

Contact Info

Dr. Monica Knight
Director of Quality Schools and Special Projects
(321) 446-6659
mknight@greenappleschools.com.

Date Posted: December 16, 2025