NutriSmart Snax

How can school nutrition technology help schools serve more students, improve efficiency, and increase participation? In this episode of NutriSmart Snax , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Lisa Good, VP of Sales & Marketing at PaySchools , to discuss how modern point-of-sale technology is transforming school cafeterias. From cashless payments and breakfast kiosks to smart vending machines and fu...

How can school nutrition professionals work smarter—not harder? In this episode of NutriSmart Snax, Maureen Pisanick sits down with Kevin Crampton, Vice President of Business Development and Contracting at HPS, to discuss procurement best practices, commodity management, Buy American requirements, and the technology tools helping school nutrition programs become more efficient. Kevin shares insigh...

What happens when students become leaders in the cafeteria? In this episode of NutriSmart Snax , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Jennifer Bujak-Hirsch to discuss how student engagement, local food initiatives, wellness programs, and staff empowerment are transforming school nutrition programs. Jennifer shares how Crestwood Schools built an award-winning culture by: Empowering students through lead...

What does it really take to get students excited about fruits and vegetables? In this episode of the NutriSmart Podcast, we sit down with leaders from Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to explore how they successfully implemented school produce bars across dozens of schools—and the incredible impact it’s having on students and staff. From overcoming staffing concerns to creating colorf...

What does it really take to become a leader in school nutrition? In this episode of NutriSmart Snax, we sit down with Andrew Mendez RDN, CC, LD, Nutrition Services Director at Kenston Local Schools, to explore the real journey from frontline experience to impactful leadership in K-12 food service. From culinary school to mentoring interns, Andrew shares practical strategies that school nutrition p...

What do students really think about school lunch? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX, we go straight to the source - students, Joey and Alex, themselves. From favorite menu items to honest feedback on texture, temperature, and flavor, this conversation is packed with insights every school nutrition professional needs to hear. If you’re looking to increase participation, reduce waste, and build men...

Are your school menus struggling to keep up with new USDA guidelines while maintaining student participation? In this episode of NutriSmart Snacks, we sit down with American Dairy Association Mideast Chef Jennifer Tagliarino to break down Smart Swaps - a practical approach helping schools serve healthier, compliant meals without sacrificing what students actually want to eat. You’ll learn: ✔️ How...

In this episode of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast , we sit down with school nutrition innovator Jess Stone and microgreens entrepreneur Betsy Meehan to talk about how small changes - like microgreens, themed lunch days, and taste testing - are making a BIG impact in school cafeterias. From “Apple Crunch Day” to ramen bars and hands-on growing experiences, this conversation is packed with real strateg...

What if your menu could do more than meet requirements - what if it could drive financial stability, increase participation, and build trust with families? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX, host Maureen Pisanick sits down with Lynn Shavinsky from Health-e Pro to talk all things financial fitness in school nutrition - and why everything starts with the menu. Lynn brings decades of real-world expe...

Join host Maureen Pisanick as she talks with Amy Voigt, Food Service Director at Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools, about bringing creativity, teamwork, and sustainability to the school cafeteria. From winning the Mystery Chef competition to launching a produce bar and starting a composting program, Amy shares practical tips for keeping menus fresh, engaging staff, and inspiring students...

What does it really take to elevate school meals? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX, Maureen Pisanick sits down with Chef Darren Layre from Gordon Food Service to talk about trends, tools, and simple culinary shifts that can transform K-12 menus. From “getting weird with lettuce” to reinventing Hawaiian pizza, Chef Darren shares practical ideas that school nutrition professionals can implement im...

What’s it really like to intern in school nutrition? In this episode of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast, Maureen Pisanick sits down with Kent State University dietetic intern Emma Nemecek to talk about mentorship, leadership growth, recipe development, Smart Snacks compliance, and the real-world impact of public health nutrition in schools. Emma shares how she went from uncertainty about school food s...

How do global flavors actually work in school cafeterias? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX, host Maureen Pisanick sits down with Lincoln Yee from International Food Solutions to explore how Asian, Latin, and Indian-inspired menu items are helping schools boost participation, meet nutrition standards, and connect with today’s diverse student populations. What started as a simple idea nearly 20 ye...

Staffing shortages continue to challenge school nutrition programs across the country. In this episode, we sit down at Innovation Academy with Keith Amos from Sandridge Crafted Foods to talk about school nutrition menu ideas that actually work in real kitchens. We cover how districts can use flexible, high-quality ingredients to support creativity, manage labor challenges, and increase student par...

What really helps kids build healthy eating habits at home and at school? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX, host Maureen Pisanick is joined by board certified pediatrician Dr. Sara Adams to discuss: • Modeling healthy behaviors for kids • Breakfast and lunch planning realities • Making cafeterias welcoming learning spaces • Talking about processed foods without panic • Helping kids build positiv...

Professional development is not just about recipes, menus, or software. It is about people. In this episode, Maureen Pisanick sits down with Jake Hastings from Effective Leadership Academy to explore how leadership, mindset, and human connection drive real change in school nutrition programs. They discuss why change feels hard, how growth mindset shifts can empower teams, and why investing in peop...

Join Maureen and local food systems leader Dave Sokoll , Executive Director of the Forest City Food Collective, for an inspiring conversation on how local food can transform schools, families, and entire communities. In this episode, we explore: The evolution of farm-to-school programs The real lives and challenges of small and mid-sized farmers How food banks bring dignity through fresh, local pr...

Maureen Pisanick chats with Jan Diamond of the American Dairy Association Mideast about why dairy continues to be a cornerstone of school meals, especially with new sugar regulations on the horizon. From smoothie kits and lactose-free milk pilots to breakfast ice cream and creative vegetable add-ins, this episode delivers practical inspiration for fueling students and strengthening breakfast parti...

In this special NutriSmart SNAX Podcast episode recorded live at the OSBA Capital Conference, host Maureen Pisanick speaks with Phil Herman and Tom Speaks of The Impact Group to explore Appreciology, staff retention, and how the school cafeteria truly serves as the heart of culture. 👂 What you'll learn in this episode: ● What Appreciology is and how it improves team morale ● A simple 45-day g...

From pizza nostalgia to tackling the dreaded out-of-stock blues, this episode dives deep into what it takes to keep school menus running smoothly. Episode 12 of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast  features a lively conversation between our co-founder, Maureen Pisanick, RDN, LD , and Marisa Seitz , RDN, LD Education Specialist at Gordon Food Service (GFS) —and a former school food service director herself...

From creative spark to compliant, student-approved meal! In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , host Maureen Pisanick sits down with Alana Hansen from Pisanick Partners to explore how new school recipes are imagined, tested, and served with success. They discuss where inspiration comes from - industry trends, social media, and most importantly, student feedback - and how the team turns those ideas i...

When it comes to wholesome meals fueling healthy lives, local food plays a big role. In a recent conversation with Ali Guzik, Program Manager for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and leader of Feed Our Future, we explored how her team connects schools, farmers, and communities to put fresh, local food on students’ trays. 💬 What You’ll Learn: Funding and sustainability amid uncertainty for scho...

Join host Maureen Pisanick as she talks with Terry Thomsen from The Pizza Bagel Lady and Megan McDonald from DoughGos—two Ohio-based entrepreneurs bringing fresh, local, and student-approved foods to K-12 schools. From clean-label pizza bagels and cinnamon breakfast dough to locally sourced breakfast bars and pretzel bites, Terry and Megan share how they’re blending flavor, nutrition, and farm-to-...

Join host Maureen Pisanick as she sits down with school foodservice pros Pam Reitz and Phyllis Brannon to explore cost-smart, flavor-packed strategies for K-12 menus. From plant-based bolognese sauce and bold-flavored chicken to time-saving mashed potatoes and frozen pasta, this episode delivers practical ideas to boost participation, save labor, and stretch your commodity dollars. 💬 What You’ll...

Join host Maureen Pisanick as she talks with school nutrition pros Lola Dear of Simplot and Holly McGarry of Acxion about balancing flavor, creativity, and cost in today’s K-12 meal programs. From guacamole cups and BBQ Sidewinder fries to globally inspired sauces and smart commodity protein use, this episode is packed with real-world tips for stretching budgets while keeping menus fresh and excit...