Ruth Pino, center, retired from The Heart Network’s board this fall after serving for over 12 years. Also pictured are Heart Network Executive Director Ann Morgan, left, and Heart Network Community Health Improvement Coordinator Arriana Patraw. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — The Heart Network and its community partners in Saranac Lake are celebrating the contributions of a longtime volunteer and public servant.

Ruth Pino served on The Heart Network’s Board of Directors for over 12 years, helping the organization shape its strategies to improve community health and reduce the burden of chronic disease across the North Country. Pino also worked as food services director for the Saranac Lake Central School District and frequently collaborated with The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program. She retired from both positions this fall.

“Ruth worked tirelessly in her role as food services director and as a volunteer with our organization,” said Arriana Patraw, community health improvement coordinator at The Heart Network. “Our partnership with Ruth and the school district not only increased access to healthy foods but also expanded opportunities for physical activity. Over the years, she spearheaded several projects to benefit students, such as rebuilding gardens at each district school building to increase access to fresh produce. She is passionate about farm-to-school initiatives and has consistently worked to provide healthier options in the school cafeteria and for the school community as a whole.”

Pino introduced and championed Saranac Lake’s Farm to School program, which brings fresh, local produce into school cafeterias and helps students foster an understanding of the importance of healthy, sustainable eating. She developed strong partnerships with local growers, and teamed with The Heart Network to plan and implement greenhouses and gardens throughout the school district — facilities that now offer hands-on learning opportunities for students.

“It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the retirement of Ruth Pino, whose impact on the Saranac Lake Central School District has been extraordinary,” said SLCSD Superintendent Diane Fox. “Her leadership went far beyond her job description. Ruth has been a key partner in our Community Schools work, understanding that food is at the heart of equity, connection and student success. Her dedication, creativity, and heart have set a high standard for what school food service can be. We thank her for her many years of service, for nourishing our students in every sense of the word and for leaving a legacy that will continue to grow in Saranac Lake for years to come.”

The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program works with schools and communities in Franklin County to enhance access to healthy food and increase opportunities for physical activity. The CHSC program also includes an early childhood component through a partnership with the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, engaging with providers to adopt policies and practices that promote nutrition and physical activity for young children.