Balanced Tray

Food Handler Solutions

The official Balanced Tray (formerly Friday Food Fight) podcast is where we are redefining what it means to be a School Nutrition Professional — Redefining School Nutrition, One Bite at A Time! 

  1. Balanced Tray – Marketing Hacks to Make Healthy the New Cool – October 2025 – 3130/4120

    10/07/2025

    Balanced Tray – Marketing Hacks to Make Healthy the New Cool – October 2025 – 3130/4120

    In this episode, we are joined by Alex, a registered dietitian passionate about school food service. Together, we explore the challenges of serving nutritious and appealing meals while balancing regulations, labor shortages, and parental expectations. Alex shares her journey into dietetics, innovative ways to engage kids with healthier food, and her advocacy for free meals for all students. We also dive into the power of marketing, creative menu presentation, and how social media can spotlight the positive side of school food programs.

    33 min
  2. Balanced Tray – The Art of Appetite: Food Photography Strategies for Reaching Students Exam

    03/31/2025

    Balanced Tray – The Art of Appetite: Food Photography Strategies for Reaching Students Exam

    In this episode of The Balanced Tray, we’re joined by Ashley Moyna Schwickert, founder of Studio Moyna, to explore the power of food photography in school nutrition marketing. Ashley shares practical tips for capturing crave-worthy food photos—using just your smartphone! Whether you’re new to photography or already snapping pics, this episode is packed with easy, effective strategies to help you connect with students and parents through eye-catching visuals. Get to know more about Ashley and Studio Moyna!

    30 min
  3. Ignite Your Leadership S.H.I.N.E. - Confidence is key

    02/20/2025

    Ignite Your Leadership S.H.I.N.E. - Confidence is key

    Join an invigorating discussion with LaVonna Roth as she delves into her transformative 'Shine' framework, designed for personal and professional growth. Covering aspects like self-care, overcoming challenges, and leveraging strengths and passions, LaVonna shares her journey and actionable insights. Learn how to instill positive self-talk, navigate life’s hurdles, and achieve a sense of balance and fulfillment. Perfect for educators, leaders, and anyone seeking to ignite their potential!

    40 min
  4. Changing the Image of School Nutrition

    11/06/2024

    Changing the Image of School Nutrition

    In this episode, you will learn strategies to change the image of school nutrition programs by exploring effective marketing and communication techniques. Our guest, Marlon Gordon, Founder and CEO of NxtGen Network, will share insights into his organization’s initiatives aimed at transforming perceptions of school meals. Together, we will discuss ways to address common misconceptions about school nutrition, highlight innovative programs that have successfully improved perceptions, and identify future opportunities to promote healthier food choices. You’ll also learn how to engage students in these efforts and measure the success of your school nutrition program. By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in reshaping the image of school nutrition.

    58 min
  5. Engaging Students and Parents in School Nutrition

    09/19/2024

    Engaging Students and Parents in School Nutrition

    In this episode, we chat with Tarrah Westercamp about how students and parents make a difference in school nutrition! We'll explore strategies for improving meal quality, increasing participation, and fostering a healthier school environment.

    33 min
  6. Food Allergy Management Matters

    08/22/2024

    Food Allergy Management Matters

    In this episode,Tarrah Westercamp, MS, RDN, SNS, a seasoned dietitian with over a decade of experience in school nutrition, shares her expertise on the increasing prevalence of food allergies in schools. She discusses the importance of developing and implementing robust allergy management plans to ensure student safety.  Tarrah also highlights the challenges schools face, such as labor shortages and resource constraints, and emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive allergy training. Additionally, she talks about her work with the National Peanut Board on creating resources to help schools improve their breakfast programs while managing allergens effectively. Tarrah encourages school districts to take proactive steps toward better allergy management by accessing valuable resources. To access these resources, check our Facebook, YouTube and Instagram socials! @schoolfoodhandler

    34 min
  7. Menu and Budget Engineering Magic with Menulogic

    10/27/2023

    Menu and Budget Engineering Magic with Menulogic

    In this episode, MenuLogic will give us helpful insights on effective menu planning while also managing your budget and making the most of your available resources. We talked about:  Founding Menu Logic  Early Career Challenges  Advice for Young Directors  Lack of Technology Solutions  How Does Menu Logic Collect and Utilize Data to Help School Nutrition Districts Improve Their Menu  Insights And Advice on Improving the Financial Outlook of School Nutrition Programs  Focusing on Impact and Appreciating Colleagues and Team Members Tune un for an insightful episode of Friday Food Fight!

    39 min
  8. Public Speaking 101

    09/20/2023

    Public Speaking 101

    In this episode, Malissa Marsden, a child nutrition consultant for over 30 years, explores the fundamentals of public speaking, delving into practical tips and strategies that will help you overcome anxiety, craft engaging speeches, and captivate your audience's attention.

    46 min
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About

The official Balanced Tray (formerly Friday Food Fight) podcast is where we are redefining what it means to be a School Nutrition Professional — Redefining School Nutrition, One Bite at A Time! 

Information

  • Creator
    Food Handler Solutions
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Food Handler Solutions LLC.
  • Show Website
    Balanced Tray