School Food for Thought

Host: Keith Rushing, PhD, RD (JCNM Editor) Marjuyua Lartey Gibson, PhD, RDN (ICN representative to the Nutrition and Research Committee) Guest: Kelsey Anderson (co-author of "A Qualitative Analysis of Elementary Education Student’s Perceptions of Breakfast in the Classroom Before and After an Educational Video Intervention") Description: In this special Research Unboxing episode of &quot...

Host: Patricia Montague, FASAE, CAE, SNA Chief Executive Officer Guests: Cindy Long, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Sponsor: Episode Sponsored by Buena Vista Foods Description: In this episode of "School Food for Thought," host Patti Montague, CEO of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), sits down with Cindy Long, Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nu...

Host: Danielle Duran Baron, MBA, CAE – VP of MarCom and Industry Relations Guests: Shannon Solomon (Aurora Public Schools) Laura Bruno (CEO, Buena Vista Foods) Sponsor: Episode Sponsored by Buena Vista Foods Description: Did you know that even slicing a cucumber is considered processing? In this episode of "School Food for Thought," host Danielle dives into the surprising world of processed foods...

Host: Danielle Duran Baron, MBA, CAE – VP of MarCom and Industry Relations Guests: Dawn Soto (LA Unified School District) Brian Wolverton (Director K12 Sales, Cool Tropics) Sponsor: Episode Sponsored by Cool Tropics Description: In this episode of the " School Food for Thought " podcast, our host, Danielle Duran Baron dives deep into the world of marketing school food programs with two incredible...

Host: Danielle Duran Baron, MBA, CAE – VP of MarCom and Industry Relations Guests: Will Conrad (Fulton County Schools) Sarah Grunow (Adams 12 Five Star Schools) Sponsor: Episode Sponsored by Cool Tropics Description: What role will innovation, mentorship, and professional development play in shaping the next chapter of school nutrition?  In this episode of "School Food for Thought," host Danielle...

Host: Danielle Duran Baron, MBA, CAE – VP of MarCom and Industry Relations Guests: Patti Bilbrey (Scottsdale Unified School District) Laura Bruno (CEO, Buena Vista Foods) Sponsor: Episode Sponsored by Buena Vista Foods Description: In this episode of "School Food for Thought," our host, Danielle Duran Baron, welcomes Patti Bilbrey , Child Nutrition Director for Scottsdale Unified School District,...

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 progr...

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,...

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...

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 A...

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 coll...

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 chal...

In this bonus episode of School Food for Thought, Patti Montague, the CEO of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), engages in a captivating conversation with Lori Adkins, the SNA 2022-2023 President, during the Annual National Conference held in Denver. Lori reflects on her leadership journey, the highlights of her career, and her whirlwind year as the president of the School Nutrition Associati...

Positive workplace culture starts at the top! Doug Massey of Klein Independent School District in Texas, and Alisa Roman of Lewiston (Maine) Public Schools, have a lot in common, despite their geographic distance. This includes their leadership style, love for the profession, and incredibly successful and diverse teams built on solid values and strong cultures.  

SNA Secretary/Treasurer Warren DeShields of Bridgeton City (N.J.) Public Schools and Brianne Pulver of Auburn (Mass.) Public Schools discuss diversity and inclusion in school cafeterias and different ways school food directors can engage with their communities. Warren and Brianne also share their experiences navigating the school nutrition profession and how they hope to bring more diversity to th...

From local foods to sustainability to recruiting the next generation of school nutrition professionals, what's coming up next in the future for the school nutrition profession? SNA President Chris Derico, SNS, of Barbour County (W. Va.) Schools, and Stefanie Giannini, MA, SNS, of Marquardt School District 15, in Illinois, talk about their predictions, discuss the financial challenges of runnin...

Community partnerships are key for successful school nutrition programs. Chris Burkhardt, SNS, of Cincinnati (Ohio) Public Schools, and Naim Walcott of West Hampton (N.Y.) Unified School District, discuss the power of these partnerships and how to work with different stakeholders to advance school nutrition programs.

School cafeterias are full of students from all over the world. E. Nichole Taylor of Chichester School District in in Pennsylvania, and Lindsay Aguilar, RD, SNS, of Tucson (Ariz.) Unified School District, chat about their experiences bringing the world together in their cafeterias. Topics include serving diverse communities, supporting refugee families, asking parents to share their favorite recip...

Season One of the School Food for Thought podcast is your connection to the school nutrition community! Here you’ll find valuable insights, inspiration, and the latest industry updates to help you thrive in your role. Join us as we dive deep into the innovations and best practices in the the heart and soul of school nutrition!