In school nutrition, success is about more than serving meals. It’s about creating experiences, building relationships, and giving students and staff a sense of ownership in the cafeteria culture. In a recent Click to Watch Full Episode episode of NutriSmart Snax, Jennifer Bujak-Hirsch joined Maureen Pisanick to share how student engagement, leadership development, and team empowerment have transformed her district’s nutrition program into an award-winning example of innovati

Explore the creativity behind the Pisanick Partners Mystery Chef Competition featuring innovative school-friendly recipes created by school nutrition professionals. View the digital recipe book and discover menu inspiration for K-12 cafeterias.

How Fresh Produce, Teamwork, and Creativity Are Transforming Student Meals When it comes to improving school nutrition, few initiatives are as impactful, and as inspiring, as produce bars. On a recent episode of the NutriSmart Podcast, we sat down with leaders from Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to explore how they are bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to life for students across their district. What we uncovered wasn’t just a story about salad bars - it was

In school nutrition, leadership doesn’t always start in the boardroom - it often begins in the kitchen. In this episode of the NutriSmart Snax podcast, Maureen Pisanick sits down with Andrew Mendez RDN, CC, LD, Nutrition Services Director at Kenston Local Schools, to unpack what it really means to grow as a leader in school nutrition. Click to Watch Full Episode Their conversation is packed with practical insights, personal stories, and actionable strategies for anyone—from f

When it comes to building a successful school nutrition program, there’s one strategy that consistently delivers results - but is often overlooked: Ask the students. Click here to watch the episode! In a recent episode of the NutriSmart SNAX podcast, we sat down with two very honest (and very insightful) elementary students, Joey and Alex (nicknamed Burrito) to get their unfiltered take on school meals. What they shared wasn’t just entertaining - it was incredibly valuable.

School nutrition is evolving, and fast! Between updated USDA guidelines, increasing pressure to reduce sodium and sugar, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining student participation, operators are being asked to do more with less… and do it better. But what if the answer isn’t a complete overhaul? What if it’s simply… smarter swaps? Meet the Movement: Smarter, Not Harder In a recent episode of NutriSmart Snacks , Maureen Pisanick sat down with American Dairy Association Mid

When passion meets purpose in school nutrition, incredible things happen. In a recent episode of the NutriSmart SNAX Podcast , we sat down with two inspiring changemakers - Jess Stone, a school nutrition rockstar, and Betsy Meehan, co-founder of High Desert Greens - to talk about innovation, student engagement, and how even the smallest ideas can transform a cafeteria. And spoiler alert: it doesn’t take a massive overhaul to make a big impact. 💡 Innovation Starts with a Simp

When it comes to running a strong school nutrition program, there’s one truth that consistently rises to the top: the menu drives everything . From food cost and labor to participation and financial sustainability, the menu is the foundation of a healthy program. That idea was at the heart of a recent NutriSmart SNAX podcast conversation between host Maureen Pisanick and longtime colleague and friend Lynn Shavinsky of Health-e Pro. Their discussion explored how thoughtful me

At Pisanick Partners, we love sharing stories of school nutrition leaders who inspire change and innovation in their cafeterias. This time, we’re spotlighting Amy Voigt, Director of Food Service at Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools - and the driving force behind initiatives that engage staff, excite students, and make school lunch a true extension of the classroom. A Career Built on Passion for School Nutrition Amy’s journey began during her dietetic internship, wher