At Pisanick Partners, we often say hosting interns is our way of paying it forward . Mentorship isn’t just something we do - it’s part of who we are. This month, we had the joy of sitting down with one of our standout interns, Emma Nemecek from Kent State University, to reflect on her experience in school nutrition. What unfolded was a powerful reminder of why investing in the next generation matters so much. Unexpected Paths: Discovering School Nutrition with an Internship L

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