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.