Food safety may not be the flashiest topic in school nutrition, but it is one of the most important. Every meal served in a school cafeteria represents a promise to families that their children are receiving food that is not only nutritious and delicious, but also safe. In a recent episode of the NutriSmart Snax podcast, host Maureen Pisanick sat down with Jason Miller of Innovative Solutions Group/SFSPac to discuss practical food safety strategies that help school nutrition

Technology has become one of the most valuable tools in today's school nutrition programs. From speeding up serving lines to protecting student privacy and improving access to healthy meals, modern point-of-sale systems are doing much more than simply processing transactions. In a recent episode of the NutriSmart Snax Podcast, Maureen Pisanick sat down with Lisa Good, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at PaySchools, to discuss how school nutrition technology is changing t

In our latest NutriSmart Snax podcast, we sit down with procurement expert Kevin Crampton from HPS to discuss how school nutrition leaders can leverage data, technology, and strategic partnerships to work smarter, not harder.

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