Training Toolbox
Training Toolbox
A Professional Development Directory for School Nutrition Professionals
Massachusetts offers a wealth of professional development (PD) opportunities to support the knowledge, skills and competencies of new, returning and aspiring school nutrition professionals. This one-stop online directory organizes Massachusetts PD options according to the school nutrition position and related competencies. Simply select the desired position to view and access the on-demand and live training options. The Training Toolbox Checklist is designed for school nutrition directors to easily plan and track staff professional development across the district.
Download the Checklist using the link(s) provided and check out the video tutorial below for additional details on how to use the tool.
*Please note, the MIC videos, referenced as on-demand training options in some of the categories listed below, are temporarily unavailable. The issue is being addressed. We apologize for the inconvenience.
School Nutrition Manager
New Hire On-Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 1: School Nutrition Programs
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Lunch Videos & Activities
Annual and Ongoing On-Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 2:USDA Foods 101 & Inventory Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 3: The Administrative Review Process
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 4: Resource Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Breakfast Videos & Activities
- Making It Count: Afterschool Videos & Activities
New Hire Live Training Option:
New Hire, Annual, and Ongoing Live Training Options:
New Hire On-Demand Options:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Option:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
- Workshops to Go: Back to Basics Culinary Series
- Workshop to Go: Knife Skills: A Cut Above the Rest!
- Workshop to Go: Building Flavors that Excite!
- Workshop to Go: Power Up with Plant-based Lunches
Ongoing On-Demand Option:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
New Hire and Annual On-Demand Option:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
New Hire On-Demand Option:
Ongoing On-Demand Options:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Option:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
School Nutrition Cook/Staff
New Hire On-Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 1: School Nutrition Programs
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Lunch Videos & Activities
Annual and Ongoing On-Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 2:USDA Foods 101 & Inventory Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 3: The Administrative Review Process
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 4: Resource Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Breakfast Videos & Activities
- Making It Count: Afterschool Videos & Activities
New Hire On-Demand Options:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
- Workshops to Go: Back to Basics Culinary Series
- Workshop to Go: Knife Skills: A Cut Above the Rest!
- Workshop to Go: Building Flavors that Excite
- Workshop to Go: Power Up with Plant-based Lunches
Ongoing On-Demand Option:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
New Hire and Annual On-Demand Option:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
Ongoing Live Training Options
New Hire, Annual, and Ongoing Live Training Options:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
School Nutrition Cashier
New Hire On Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 1: School Nutrition Programs
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Lunch Videos & Activities
Annual and Ongoing On-Demand Options:
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 2:USDA Foods 101 & Inventory Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 3: The Administrative Review Process
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 4: Resource Management
- Nuts & Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand: Module 5: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
- Making It Count: Breakfast Videos & Activities
- Making It Count: Afterschool Videos & Activities
New Hire On-Demand Option:
New Hire, Annual, and Ongoing Live Training Options:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
New Hire and Annual On- Demand Option:
New Hire and Annual Live Training Options:
Ongoing Live Training Option:
Ongoing Live Training Options:
Additional Information
- New Hire Trainings: Suggested for onboarding new staff at the start of employment.
- Annual Trainings: Training topics suggested annually. NOTE: Civil Rights training is required annually.
- Ongoing Trainings: Available training options to further expand knowledge, skills, and competencies.
- Live Trainings: In-person or virtual workshops that can be scheduled with a live instructor. Typically, these are scheduled during professional development days.
- On-Demand Trainings: Training options that are available online for staff to complete on their schedule, at their own pace. Note: Please see the JSI website for group training options for on-demand trainings.
In 2022, JSI conducted a Think Tank with our Advisory Board, which included school nutrition directors from across the state, to determine the training needs for newly hired and retraining needs for school nutrition personnel. The Think Tank results were aligned with ICN Competency, Knowledge, and Skills for Managers and Staff and matched to the USDA Professional Standards.
The Massachusetts directory of PD options for managers, cooks/staff, and cashiers is organized according to the school nutrition position and related competencies needed to support the knowledge, skills and competencies of school nutrition professionals for onboarding new staff, as well as for a yearly refresher.
The downloadable Training Toolbox Checklist serves as a companion tool for School Nutrition Directors to:
- identify position-specific on-demand and live training options in the state,
- develop a position-specific or individualized training plan for employees,
- track completed training hours and ensure annual training requirements are met by each employee,
- track suggested learning codes for the USDA Key Areas for PD
The goal is to expand this resource and continuously improve and develop new training opportunities for Massachusetts school nutrition professionals. Please share your PD suggestions via email at johnstalker@framingham.edu.
