School Food for Thought School Nutrition Assoc

In this episode, Jeanne Reilly, School Nutrition Director at Windham Raymond School District in Maine, and Bettina Applewhite, from Applewhite Nutrition, share their experiences in engaging students and keeping up with their evolving taste buds. Jeanne and Bettina emphasize the importance of getting to know students, listening to their needs, and introducing new menu items that incorporate global flavors. Their dedication to making school nutrition exciting and relevant is truly inspiring. Tune in for an informative and inspiring discussion on how to surprise and delight students with great food.

This episode of School Food for Thought features Diane Grodek, Executive Chef at Austin Independent School District, and Katie Cossette, School Nutrition Director from St. Vrain Valley Schools in Colorado. Diane and Katie discuss their commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals by thinking outside the box. From minimizing plastic packaging and reducing food waste to using local ingredients, they share practical tips and creative solutions for improving school nutrition programs. Whether you work in a rural district or a bustling city, this conversation is packed with insights that can help enhance your approach to school meals.

This episode features Amy Faricy, Manager of Menu Services at Douglas County School District in Colorado, and Eric Span, Director of Nutrition Services for Sweetwater Union High School District in California. Amy and Eric are leading the charge in transforming school nutrition through innovative approaches such as school gardens, sustainability initiatives and engaging students in their meal programs. Eric, a new SNA board member and the 2024 Director of the Year Award recipient, along with Amy, share experiences and insights, providing valuable ideas for anyone looking to make a positive impact in school nutrition.

Join us for a lively discussion with Jill Riggs from Penn Harris Madison School Corporation in Indiana and Tory Gibson, a floating manager at Myrtle Beach School District in South Carolina. Jill and Tory bring a refreshing mix of innovation and enthusiasm to their roles, from introducing new menu items to creating engaging training experiences and fun cafeteria designs. This episode, recorded at ANC23, showcases their creativity and dedication, demonstrating that hard work can go hand-in-hand with having fun. Tune in to discover how Jill and Tory are making school nutrition both effective and enjoyable.

In this episode of School Food for Thought, we dive into the diverse and essential roles within the school nutrition field. Kristina Kraushaar, Program Innovator at Rialto Unified School District in California, and Bill Ward, System Support Specialist at Hernando County School District in Florida, join us to share their unique perspectives and experiences. Kristina and Bill discuss how they collaborate with their teams to support students, highlighting the complexity and importance of roles that extend beyond direct food service. Their insights are both enlightening and inspiring, offering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of school nutrition.

In this podcast episode, Danielle Duran Baron, Cathy Schuchart, and Nicole Taylor discuss the critical role of advocacy in school nutrition programs. Cathy and Nicole share practical tips on finding one's voice and making an impact through advocacy, emphasizing that it extends beyond formal meetings to everyday interactions. They highlight the importance of SNA's support in addressing challenges and shaping legislative decisions. The conversation also covers the impact of COVID-19 on school meal programs and the potential for universal healthy school meals. The episode encourages members to utilize SNA resources and engage at all advocacy levels.