Food service worker Vera Walden prepares hot meals for students at Shady Grove Elementary in Burnet. Staff photo By Elizabeth De Los Santos
For Vera Walden, serving students at Burnet’s Shady Grove Elementary isn’t just about preparing meals, it’s also making sure every child starts their day with a full stomach and a smile.
“I know that when they come here, they’re getting a good breakfast to start their day right then filling their little bellies at lunchtime,” Walden said. “I just like knowing that I can do that.”
Walden was voted Favorite School Food Service Worker for the Burnet area by The Picayune Magazine readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners in the 2025 Locals Love Us contest. She has been part of the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District food service team for the past two years.
“I handle most of the hot line,” she said. “I prep, cook, serve food, and work the register. Our kitchen staff is awesome, and we help each other out so everything gets done.”
Before joining the district, Walden worked for 35 years at Taco Bell—the second of only three jobs she’s ever had.
“I worked for my dad in high school and a little after, then at Taco Bell until I retired in 2022,” she said. “But retirement wasn’t enough, so I decided to come back to work.”
The Shady Grove job gives Walden a stable schedule and a place where she can make a difference.
“I love being able to make sure these kids get good meals, especially since you never really know their situation at home,” she said. “It’s a blessing to be part of a district where elementary kids get free breakfast and lunch. Parents don’t have to worry about it, and we know they’re being fed.”
Walden grew up in Burnet before moving to Houston and later settling in Sealy, where she raised her family. In 2022, she returned home to care for her mother and reconnect with the town she loves.
“I moved back to Burnet to take care of my mom,” she said. “This community is second to none, and being in the beautiful Hill Country makes it even better.”
Being recognized as a Locals Love Us favorite was an unexpected but meaningful honor for Walden.
“Knowing that I’m considered part of this community is a really nice feeling,” she said.
