February is Heart Health Month, and the meals served in school cafeterias play a bigger role in student heart health than many people realize. From limits on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars to requirements for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, school meal standards closely align with the American Heart Association’s recommendations. By building heart-healthy habits early, school meals help lay the foundation for lifelong wellness.

How Global Flavors Are Transforming School Lunch Sometimes the most impactful ideas start small. In a recent episode of the NutriSmart SNAX  podcast, host Maureen Pisanick sat down with longtime colleague and school nutrition innovator Lincoln Yee of International Food Solutions to talk about how one simple question - “Why can’t schools serve global flavors?”  - turned into a national movement within child nutrition. Their story is a reminder that meaningful change in school

How Smart Shortcuts and Quality Ingredients Help School Nutrition Programs Thrive At Pisanick Partners, we believe the best ideas for school nutrition come from collaboration, creativity, and real world experience. That is exactly why conversations like this one matter. We sat down with our longtime partner and friend Keith Amos  from Sandridge Crafted Foods to talk about food shows, menu inspiration, labor realities, and how schools can use high quality prepared ingredients

The newest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released last week, prompting many to ask how it may impact school nutrition programs. A highlighted recommendation of the new guidelines is an increased emphasis on the consumption of ‘real food’ and a reduction in processed, especially ultra-processed, foods that contain refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives. Long before the release of these guidelines, we b

School nutrition does not exist in a vacuum. It lives at the intersection of family habits, school culture, access, timing, and trust. In a recent episode of the NutriSmart SNAX podcast, host Maureen Pisanick sat down with board certified pediatrician Dr. Sara Adams to talk about what really helps children build healthy relationships with food and movement, both at home and at school.

Why Leadership and Connection Matter Just as Much as the Menu At Pisanick Partners, we love professional development that is hands on, practical, and immediately useful. We love culinary trainings. We love writing recipes, building cycle menus, and helping schools navigate USDA approved software systems. We love the nuts and bolts of school nutrition. But here is the truth. A menu cannot succeed without the people behind it. This post explores why school nutrition professiona

School nutrition is more than meals, it’s a movement rooted in community, connection, and the belief that everyone deserves access to wholesome, nourishing food. Maureen sat down with long-time partner and local food systems leader Dave Sokoll , Executive Director of the Forest City Food Collective , to explore how passion, purpose, and people continue shaping local food in schools and beyond. Honoring the OG of Local Food Systems From the moment Dave joins the conversation,

School breakfast programs are facing new challenges - from reducing added sugars to meeting rising student expectations for meals that feel fresh, fun, and familiar. In a recent conversation on the NutriSmart Snax  podcast, Maureen Pisanick sat down with Jan Diamond from the American Dairy Association Mideast to explore how dairy continues to play a powerful, evolving role in nourishing students and supporting school nutrition teams. For more than two decades, Maureen and Jan

Live from the ASBA Capital Conference At the ASBA Capital Conference in Columbus, we spent two days surrounded by school district leaders - superintendents, treasurers, board members, and so many familiar faces. It felt less like a conference and more like a family reunion. Our shared goal? Supporting the people who make schools work. For this special edition of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast , we sat down with two of my favorite collaborators and longtime colleagues - Phil Herm

Episode 12 of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast  featured 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. Together, they explored how collaboration, communication, and creativity drive success in school nutrition programs. From the Director’s Seat to the Distributor’s Side Marisa’s story comes full circle. “I always said I wasn’

At Pisanick Partners, our mission is simple but powerful: Wholesome Meals Fueling Healthy Lives. Behind every school menu item, there’s a process—one that blends creativity, compliance, and collaboration. In a recent conversation with our team’s newest partner, Alana Hansen, we explored exactly how a recipe goes from a spark of inspiration to a meal enjoyed by students.

Whether you're a devoted fan of The Bear or not, as child nutrition leaders we often look to fast casual or “food away from home” trends to spark new ideas in our school cafeterias. But just like behind the scenes of The Bear, it’s not all roses and sunshine behind those back-of-house doors.

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 Is Feed Our Future? Feed Our Future is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young minds to make mindful choices about what they eat. They connect sc

Get ready to “Taste the World” during National School Lunch Week 2025! From October 13–17, schools can turn their cafeterias into global gateways—complete with student passports, international menus, and cultural celebrations. This fun, educational week helps students explore new cuisines, embrace diversity, and discover how school meals bring the world to their plates.

At Pisanick Partners’ Nutritious Smart Snacks  podcast, we’re all about connecting passion with purpose - and this episode is a shining example. Host Maureen Pisanick sat down with two inspiring women - Terry Thomsen from The Pizza Bagel Lady Company  and Megan McDonald from DoughGo’s - to talk about how their locally made products are transforming school menus and inspiring healthier eating habits for students. From Retail to Purpose-Driven School Nutrition Terry’s journey