Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit - May 23 and 24, 2023
Links to resources & presentations are available after the session descriptions.
Please remember to complete your surveys – we appreciate your feedback (scan the QR on your agenda folder(s) or use the link emailed to you).
Join your school nutrition colleagues . . .
on May 23 for a Director Level Exclusive event designed specifically for directors and assistant directors to inspire, foster networking and discussions on hot topics, and offer a well-deserved opportunity to step away from your district to recharge!
Invite your managers to join you on May 24 for a full day of professional development with sessions that aim to transform the cafeteria experience, promote networking, and showcase ingredient versatility to create student-approved diverse menu options for your district! Join conversations during a variety of panel discussions offered at the breakout sessions to explore grants, student taste tests, local procurement, and strategies to hire, train and retain staff.
#HKHP2023
Sponsored by the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition.
Join your school nutrition colleagues . . .
on May 23 for a Director Level Exclusive event designed specifically for directors and assistant directors to inspire, foster networking and discussions on hot topics, and offer a well-deserved opportunity to step away from your district to recharge!
Invite your managers to join you on May 24 for a full day of professional development with sessions that aim to transform the cafeteria experience, promote networking, and showcase ingredient versatility to create student-approved diverse menu options for your district! Join conversations during a variety of panel discussions offered at the breakout sessions to explore grants, student taste tests, local procurement, and strategies to hire, train and retain staff.
#HKHP2023
Sponsored by the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition.
Suggested Learning Codes (SLC) for USDA Professional Standards listed after session descriptions. May 23 provides up to 3.5 hours and May 24 provides up to 5.5 hours of professional development.
May 23 – Director Level Exclusive!
Inspire. Network. Recharge. You Deserve It!
Directors and Assistant Directors – register for BOTH May 23 & 24 for only $99!
May 24 – For Directors, Assistant Directors, & Managers
Transform. Network. Create
Register for May 24 ONLY – $79
May 23 – Director Level Exclusive!
Inspire. Network. Recharge. You Deserve It!
Directors and Assistant Directors – register for both May 23 & 24 for only $99!
Kristina Webber, MS, RD, SNS, Assistant Director, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESE
Bertrand Weber, Director of Culinary & Wellness Services at Minneapolis Public Schools
Get inspired by Bertrand Weber, who revolutionized Minneapolis Public Schools’ food services, providing students with healthy, wholesome food that is sustainably and locally sourced. As a passionate and true food champion, he believes that change will come when we elevate how great real food is and THAT becomes the norm. In Bertrand’s words, “When the food respects the child, the child respects the food. We are all doing our best with the deck of cards we have been given and the hand changes every single day!” As passionate and resilient leaders, we readjust our game because feeding wholesome real food is the right thing to do for our kids! SLCs: 3230, 4120, 4160
Concurrent Sessions – 1:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Massachusetts Farm to School invites a collection of local producers, Food Hubs, and more who serve schools in Massachusetts
This session offers a director exclusive to browse and connect with local producers who have locally grown products to enhance your menu. SLCs: 1130, 2440, 2450
Facilitated by Kelly Burke, RD, SNS and Denise Courtney MS, RD, SNS, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESE
Join us in this networking opportunity with fellow directors to discuss the hot topics of the day. Ask questions, share successes and get inspired! SLCs: 1110, 2230, 2240
B In Touch Massage Therapists
Time for self-care and relaxation! Enjoy a therapeutic chair massage along with some much-deserved quiet time for yourself.
May 24 – For Directors, Assistant Directors, & Managers
Transform. Network. Create
Register for May 24 only – $79
Karen McGrail, MEd, RDN, LDN, Director, JSI
Robert Leshin, MPA, Director, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESE
Regina M. Robinson, EdD, Deputy Commissioner, DESE
School nutrition professionals demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to over 500,000 students across the Commonwealth every day. School meals are critical to academic success and help to promote students’ mental and physical health. Join DESE leaders for a discussion on educational vision and how school nutrition programs play an integral role in moving this vision forward. SLC: 4120
Kern Halls, Chief Innovator, Ingenious Culinary Concepts
Discover innovative strategies and proven practices to improve customer flow and long lines through your busy cafeteria while maximizing your current resources. Kern Halls is a national expert in school cafeteria enhancements, marketing, and customer service, who knows how to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary! Get ready to explore fresh and ingenious ways to implement the latest high-impact practices to enhance the K-12 dining environment and elevate the customer experience. SLCs: 4100, 4110, 4160
Morning Breakout Sessions – 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Panel moderated by Denise Courtney MS, RD, SNS, Nutrition Education, School Wellness and Training Coordinator, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESE
Grants are a great way to bring much needed funding into your program for innovative ideas or projects you want to pilot. Are you looking for some project inspiration and tips for how to make your application stand out? Join us for a discussion with a panel of funders who will be able to answer questions about opportunities available for school year 2023-2024. SLCs: 1220, 3230, 4110
Panel moderated by Cathy Wickham, PhD, RD, DND, Assistant Professor, FSU and Faculty Liaison to JSI
Taste tests give students a voice and you the feedback needed to elevate your school menu. Get inspired with success stories and a sample taste test display, while exploring best practices and resources to run a taste test event that will lead to high student engagement and create a buzz in your cafeteria. SLCs: 4110, 4120
Lunch – 12 p.m.
Samantha Cowens-Gasbarro, SNS, School Nutrition Consultant & Trainer and Executive Chef, Healthy School Recipes
Chef Sam takes center stage in this culinary demonstration showcasing ingredient versatility to create diverse menu options that your students will love. Discover culinary pro tips along with work smarter, not harder techniques using local foods and ingredients common to school kitchens. SLCs: 1130, 2130
You can access a recording of her demonstration on the Training Videos webpage. A Certificate of Training (1 CEU) is available after viewing the video and completing the survey.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions – 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Panel moderated by Simca Horowitz, Co-Director Massachusetts Farm to School
Incorporating local foods in school meals can raise questions about where to buy locally grown products and how to navigate the complexities of procurement. Join the conversation with a panel of experts in procuring, identifying, and collaborating with local producers. SLCs: 1130, 2400, 2420
A Practical Procurement Process for Local Food
Sample Produce RFQ
Panel moderated by Nicole Good, School Wellness Specialist, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESE
A strong, dedicated team is a key ingredient to a successful school nutrition program. Join this interactive networking session on strategies to manage staff shortages and optimize job retention while exploring best practices and success stories. SLC: 3440
Room Maximums and Masking Requirements
Please note, to encourage social distancing attendance at some sessions may be limited. To allow for maximum attendance, three of the morning breakout sessions will repeat in the afternoon.
Based on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Advisory, individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to mask, those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to mask.
Hotel Room Reservation Information
Hotel rooms are available at the Courtyard Boston Norwood/Canton on May 23, 2023 on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to reserve is May 9, 2023. Standard King or Queen/Queen Room is $150.00 plus tax, single occupancy, per night. Please use the following link to make a reservation: Book your group rate for Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit 2023 or you can reach out to Katherine Shaw at Katherine.Shaw@aimbridge.com
Four Points Sheraton is fully booked on May 23, 2023.
Photo and Video Consent
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit, sponsored by The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University will be photographed and recorded for future use. Images of participants and programs may be used by the University 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.
Presentation materials are supplementary to the live conference. Files available in an alternative format upon request.
Presentation materials are supplementary to the live conference. Files available in an alternative format upon request.
Click here to view the agenda and handouts from 2019’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit.
