NutriSmart Snax

We're in the business of feeding kids, not landfills! 🌱 What if the food scraps from your school cafeteria could become nutrient-rich soil, reduce waste disposal costs, and teach students valuable lessons about sustainability? On this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , host Maureen Pisanick sits down with Nolan from Rust Belt Riders to talk trash. Literally! Discover how Northeast Ohio schools are maki...

October is National Farm to School Month, and we’re celebrating the local farmers, food producers, and partnerships helping connect Ohio students to the food grown and produced in their own communities. In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Emily Church from Snowville Creamery to talk about what local dairy can bring to school nutrition. From A2/A2 milk and clean-lab...

Potatoes may be a school lunch staple, but there’s a lot more you can do with them than simply serve a side of fries. On this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Jim Copp from McCain Foods to talk about using one of students’ favorite foods to inspire better menus, increase participation, and create new revenue opportunities. They dig into Smart Snacks and à la carte oppor...

How do you turn the energy of a new school year into a strategy that actually lasts? In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Rory Wilson and Kaitlin Witzberger from the Impact Group to explore how strategic professional development, communication, culture, and employee appreciation can help schools build stronger, more engaged teams. They discuss why professional devel...

A strong school nutrition team takes more than technical knowledge. It takes trust, communication, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. In this episode of NutriSmart SNAX , Maureen Pisanick sits down with Heather Lee of Effective Leadership Academy (ELA) to talk about building stronger teams through meaningful professional development. They explore how leaders can reconnect employees with th...

How can dairy help school nutrition programs build better breakfasts, increase participation, and create foods students actually want to eat? In this episode of Partners in School Nutrition , Maureen Pisanick welcomes back Jan Diamond from American Dairy Association Mideast for a practical conversation about making dairy work harder on the school menu. From the 13 essential nutrients found in milk...

What if improving school nutrition started with improving our own health? In this episode of NutriSmart Snacks, host Maureen Pisanick, RD, LD sits down with Dr. Marcus Cirelli, a functional medicine physician at Balance Holistic Health Center, to discuss how whole foods, protein, gut health, and healthy lifestyle habits can transform not only our personal wellness - but also the way we feed studen...

Food safety may not be the most exciting topic in school nutrition - but it is one of the most important. In this episode of NutriSmart Snax , host Maureen Pisanick welcomes Jason Miller of SFS Pac to discuss practical, real-world strategies that help school nutrition professionals keep students safe while staying compliant with food safety regulations. Whether you're a Food Service Director, Supe...

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...