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2026 Management Institute - August 11, 12, & 13

The 2026 Management Institute was held at the The Warren Conference Center in Ashland on August 11, 12, & 13, 2026. The cost for the three day program was $599 and included a continental breakfast and buffet lunch each day.  The program ran from 8 am to 4 pm (breakfast and check-in began at 7:30 am). Registration for all three days was required.

Registration Closed

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Created with real world school food service challenges in mind, the 2026 Management Institute offered managers the opportunity to strengthen their skills while networking with peers statewide who share an understanding of both the challenges and joys of school nutrition work.

This year’s institute included newly updated topics along with trusted favorites, covering:

  • NEW: Production records
  • NEW: Chef guided approaches to cost control that emphasize portion control, use of standardized recipes, working smarter, not harder, and effective inventory management
  • School meal programs
  • Marketing school meals and programs
  • Personnel management
  • Leadership development
  • Team building strategies
  • Effective communication skills

The Management Institute is an invaluable investment in both professional growth and program success and provides up to 21 hours of professional development.

Management Institute 20th Anniversary class of 2025
Management Institute 20th Anniversary class of 2025
Management Institute group photo
Management Institute class of 2024
Managers and directors from across Massachusetts who attended this year’s Management Institute.
Management Institute class of 2019

2026 Agendas

  • Welcome
  • School Meal Programs
  • Cost Effectiveness for Managers – NEWLY UPDATED
  • Production Records & Forecasting – NEW
  • Marketing Healthy Foods
  • Positive Cultures in the Kitchen
  • Building a Robust Team
  • Refining Your Leadership Style
  • Communication

Click to download Generational Differences

  • Setting you up for success for this school year 
  • Innovations to FNP support  
  • Procurement Best Practices for Everyday Purchases 
  • Financial Management 

7:30 – 8:00  Check-In and Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 9:30
Welcome Back!
Marketing Healthy Foods
Lynnea Spencer, MEd, RDN, SNS
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Code: 4100, 4110, 4160

9:30 – 9:45  Break

9:45 – 12:00
Positive Cultures in the Kitchen
Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Code: 3210, 3400, 4100

12:00 – 12:30  Lunch

12:30 – 3:45
Positive Cultures in the Kitchen, continued
Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Code: 3210, 3400, 4100

3:45 – 4:00  Evaluation

7:30 – 8:00  Check-In and Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 9:30
Welcome Back!
Building a Robust Team
Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Codes: 3210, 3400

9:30 – 9:45  Break

9:45 – 11:45
Refining Your Leadership Style
Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Code: 3200

11:45 – 12:15  Lunch

12:15 – 3:45
Communication
Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs
USDA Professional Standards Suggested Learning Code: 4100, 4140

3:45 – 4:00: Evaluation and Certificate Presentations 

Registration Cancellation Policy
By clicking on the “Register Now” button, you are indicating a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Cancellations received in writing via email to johnstalker@framingham.edu at least 14 business days prior to the event will be accepted. If the cancellation date has passed, you may transfer your registration to another individual from your school district.

Hotel Room Reservation Information
Hotel rooms are available at the The Warren Conference Center Inn on August 11 & 12, 2025 on a first come, first serve basis at a rate of $159.00 plus tax, per night – Book now 

Photo and Video Consent
The Management Institute, sponsored by The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University may be photographed and recorded for future use. Images of participants and programs may be used for future marketing and digital or print publications. Your registration and attendance at this program constitutes an agreement and your consent to the use and distribution (both now and in the future) of your image or voice contained in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of this event and activity.

Read about the 2025 Management Institute on the JSI blog:
Management Institute – 20 Years Strong!