POST FALLS - Annie Mader never knew she was stumbling on such a rewarding job when she became Post Falls' school meal director nearly 24 years ago.

But kids, with their smiling faces in the food line, and a dedicated staff grew on her.

"I would have never thought that this was going to be how I made a living," said Mader, who will retire on July 15. "But, when I got it, it was perfect."

Mader's replacement, Cathie Abbott, directed the Mead School District's food program in Spokane for 20 years.

Before that she led Moscow's program for 18 months and Cheney's for three years. Abbott has already started working with Mader during the transition.

When Mader took over as director at Post Falls in 1987, the department had 17 employees and a budget of $270,000 that served 2,400 students in five schools.

Today, the department has a staff of 55 and a budget of more than $2 million that serves about 5,800 students in 10 schools.

Mader said she originally wanted a day job while her own kids were in school.

Ever since then she said she's enjoyed being a part of kids' days, ensuring they get a nutritious meal.

"The food services staff is a lot like a grandma," Mader said. "They're a comforting spot. That's really been rewarding."

Mader said she's never been one with a philosophy of "you get what you get, and you don't throw a fit" when it comes to meals for kids. She's a proponent of offering choices.

"When I started, I put a second entree on the menu so there's a choice," she said. "When I ate school lunch, I'd put the stewed tomatoes in my milk carton when I finished drinking. If you don't like it, don't take it. Try something else."

Mader said each day on the job was a little different.

"You're always learning something," she said. "A lot of outside influences made it different."

Mader, 63, said she plans to work on a gluten-free diet cookbook during her retirement.

Abbott, meanwhile, is coming out of retirement after three years.

"I retired way too early," she said. "I did volunteer work and caught up at home, but needed to get back in the workforce with the economy the way it is."

She said the Post Falls job was a natural fit for her.

"Annie has such a wonderful program going and her staff is well-trained and so caring for the kids," Abbott said. "I don't see any initial changes at all."