2026 Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Summer Conference
August 4 & 5, 2026 at the The Warren Conference Center in Ashland
The Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs 2026 Summer Conference provided an opportunity for School Nutrition Directors, Assistant Directors, and Business Managers to gather with FNP Educational Specialists at DESE to network and learn about core
regulatory concepts in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. This year’s conference had a strong focus on the future of school meals and orienting participants to resources that can help them make decisions to optimize their compliant program operations. Networking opportunities were structured into the day to allow participants to connect with fellow School Nutrition Professionals, DESE staff and partners.
The program ran from 8 am to 3 pm each day and included a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. The cost was $169 per day.
Online registration has closed. If you are interested in attending the conference, please email johnstalker@framingham.edu
Agendas
- Formal Procurement Procedures and Common Issues from the Field
- Buy American and Local Tracking
- Using USDA foods in recipe development
- Office Hours Live
- Resource Management for Financial Gain
- Investing in your School Meal Program
- Eligibility Renewal and Universal Free School Meals
- Meal Counting
- The Menu Planning Journey: Recipe Testing to Dietary Specifications
- Office Hours Live
- Pre-school Meal Pattern
- All Things NSLP Afterschool Snack
Registration Cancellation Policy
By clicking on the “Register” button, you are indicating a commitment to attend the Nuts & Bolts Summer Conference and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Cancellations received in writing via email to johnstalker@framingham.edu at least 11 business days prior to the event (by July 19) 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 on August 4, 2026 on a first come, first serve basis at a rate of $159.00 plus tax, per night. To obtain this rate, please reserve your room by using the following link: Book Now
Photo and Video Consent
The Nuts & Bolts Summer Conference, 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 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.
See below for 2025 Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Summer Conference content
2025 Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Summer Conference
August 5 & 6 at The Warren Conference Center in Ashland
Agendas - Presentation slides available for download
The 2025 Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Summer Conference provided an opportunity for School Nutrition Directors, Assistant Directors, and Business Managers to gather with Educational Specialists at DESE to network and learn about core regulatory concepts in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. This year’s conference had a strong focus on the future of school meals and orienting participants to resources that can help them make decisions to optimize their compliant program operations. Networking opportunities were structured into the day to allow participants to connect with fellow School Nutrition Professionals, DESE staff and partners.
If attending both days, please complete a registration form for each day.
Online registration has closed. If you would like to register, please contact JSI at johnstalker@framingham.edu. Cost for each day is $169. Register by July 21st.
The conference will run from 8 am to 3:15 pm and includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Check-in and breakfast begin at 7:30 am. Register by July 21st.
Presentation materials are supplementary to the live conference. Files available in an alternative format upon request.
Agendas - Presentation slides available for download
- Setting you up for success for this school year
- Innovations to FNP support
- Procurement Best Practices for Everyday Purchases
- Financial Management
- Implementing Child Nutrition Program Civil Rights Requirements
Creating & Executing a Culinary Advancement Plan (CECAP):
Take the survey and get matched to culinary support tailored to your school!
- Massachusetts School Meals, the Path Forward
- Menu Strategy Matrix, a Tool for Program Progression.
- Using USDA Foods in Recipe Development
- Buy American – Tracking Food Purchasing with Purpose
- Documenting Lunch Menu Compliance
For districts using these virtual sessions for group trainings, please read the instructions and email the attendance sheet to JSI at johnstalker@framingham.edu to receive a group certificate of training.
Questions specific to content included in the Summer Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs sessions may be submitted via Ask DESE Anything.