2023 Annual Conference Sessions

DAY ONE - Wednesday, June 21, 2023


9:00am | Registration Opens


9:30am - 10:00am | Welcome Remarks


10:00am - 11:00am | Opening Keynote Session

Farm to Table: A Foosic Experience

Join us for an interactive experience where Chef T incorporates learning with the fun of music! Self-sustainability or the art thereof is our new destination in Nutrition, so enjoy this presentation on the journey of nutrition, where we are now and where the future in food is going.
Key Area:
Operations
Speaker:

Tanisha Carter, Director of Child Nutrition, Maureen Joy Charter School


11:00am - 12:00pm | Lunch


12:00pm - 1:00pm | Educational Sessions

CEP 101

Coming soon!
Key Area: 
Administration
Speakers:

Abbey Johnson, Principal Consultant, Illinois State Board of Education


Sustainable Curriculum for Kids

How can we get our kids involved in knowing the importance of nutrition and interested in their own equity in food? Chef T has created a mini curriculum to guide our kids into their own food future! 
Key Area:
Nutrition
Speakers:

Tanisha Carter, Director of Child Nutrition, Maureen Joy Charter School

Coming soon!

Coming soon!
Key Area:

Speakers:

Coming soon!

1:15pm - 1:45pm | Educational Sessions

Kitchen Efficiencies 

Do you ever think that maybe a process in your kitchen could be completed in a faster or less complicated way? The best way to enhance your operational skills is by connecting with others who bring each of their unique experiences to the table. Join this session to hear from Margo Gusman, Marquardt School District 15's Central Kitchen Manager, as she shares the processes she utilizes in her complex operation to make everything run smooth and efficiently! Connect with others as Margo gives an opportunity for attendees to share their own efficiencies too! 
Key Area: 
Operations
Speakers:

Margo Gusman, Food Service Manager, Marquardt SD 15

Utilizing School Nutrition Interns

The school nutrition field is facing many challenges: a complex staffing crisis, increased movement and retirement of directors and a workload that reminds us there just aren’t enough hours in a day! While these challenges may never completely subside, there is a win-win solution that benefits both SNPs and nutrition/dietetic students. Join this class to learn how utilizing school nutrition interns can not only fill staffing needs but allow SNPs to do all the things they wish they had time for. And most importantly, learn how this valuable partnership can create future SNPs by exposing them to all the amazing things that make school nutrition so unique! 
Key Area: 
Administration
Speakers:

Maribel Alchin, Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services, Marquardt SD 15

1:55pm - 2:25pm | Educational Sessions

Start Small with Scratch Cooking

The first obstacle SNPs face when considering scratch cooking is an "all-or-nothing" mindset; no wonder why many SNPs start listing off why they CAN'T do any scratching cooking! Attendees will hear from the Assistant Director and Central Kitchen Manager from Marquardt School District 15 and see the collaboration and creativity it takes to successfully implement scratch cooking. Join this session as this duo encourages attendees to rethink scratch cooking and how to start out small for sustainable success! 
Key Area: 
Operations
Speakers:

Maribel Alchin, Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services, Marquardt SD 15
Margo Gusman, Food Service Manager, Marquardt SD 15

Local Foods Grant - Everything You Need to Know

Coming soon!
Key Area: 
Operations
Speakers:

Lindsay Blough, Principal Consultant, Illinois State Board of Education

2:40pm - 3:40pm | Educational Sessions

SNF LEAD to Succeed™ - Listening Habits

Listening is a critical component to effective communication. This 1-hour training explores participants' listening habits and provides tools and techniques to help improve conversations in the workplace. Specifically, participants will learn about the four levels of communication and will explore the productive listening learning model to improve their personal listening habits.
Key Area: 
Communications/Marketing
Speakers:

Sandra Voss, Food Services Director, Arlington Heights SD 25

Get More From Your Equipment

Coming soon! 
Key Area(s): 
Operations
Speakers:

Tanya Sieber, K-12 Market Manager, Burlis Lawson Group

Acing Your Audit

Coming soon!
Key Area: 
Administration
Speakers:

Kari Perkins, Principal Consultant, Illinois State Board of Education

3:55pm - 4:25pm | Educational Sessions

Coming soon!

Coming soon!
Key Area: 

Speakers:

Coming soon!


Staff Recognition

Coming soon!
Key Area: 

Speakers:

Leah Erke, Outreach Associate, University of Illinois Extension

4:35pm - 5:05pm | Educational Sessions

Utilizing the Food Buying Guide

Coming soon!
Key Area: 
Nutrition
Speakers:

Connie Crawley, Food Service Director, Lincoln District 27
Paula Crawford, Assistant Food Service Director, Lincoln District 27


School Wellness Policy

Coming soon!
Key Area: 

Speakers:

Leah Erke, Outreach Associate, University of Illinois Extension

6:00pm - 6:30pm | Cocktail Reception


6:30pm - 8:00pm | Dinner and Awards


8:00pm - 9:00pm | Entertainment


DAY TWO - Thursday, June 22, 2023


8:00am - 9:00am | Breakfast & ILSNA Business Meeting


9:00am - 10:00am | Educational Sessions

SNF LEAD to Succeed™ - Your Conflict Style Inventory

Conflict is common in the workplace and is something many of us look to avoid but having the
proper tools to deal with conflict can make all the difference when it eventually arises. This 1-
hour training explores five different conflict management styles and how each is used to
approach difficult conversations with coworkers and/or stakeholders. This training will provide
participants with effective tools to approach conflict in the workplace to achieve more positive
outcomes.

Key Area: 
Administration
Speaker:

Sandra Voss, Food Services Director, Arlington Heights SD 25

ISBE Update

Coming Soon!
Key Area: 
Administration 
Speaker:

Roxanne Ramage, Principal Consultant, Illinois State Board of Education

Farm to School

Coming soon! 
Key Area: 
Nutrition
Speaker:

Diana Chapeta, Illinois Farm to School Network Program Manager, Seven Generations Ahead

10:15am - 11:15am | Educational Sessions

How to Market Your Program

Learn how to effectively market your school nutrition program and increase participation through marketing. Discover the latest strategies for creating buzz around your menu, engaging with students and parents and maximizing the impact of your program. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your program's impact!
Key Area: 
Communications/Marketing
Speaker:

Kim Ziarko, Solution Engineer, PrimeroEdge


How Can I Help?

Join in as we highlight ways school nutrition professionals, peers and industry partners can leverage relationships and help one another, while also creating greater value in school meal programs. This guided panel discussion will shine light into ways operators can strategically work with others in the school nutrition community to improve meal programs and better serve students.
Key Area: 
Operations
Speaker:

Kymberly Wroble, Non-commercial Business Solutions Specialist, Gordon Food Service

Coming soon!

Coming soon!
Key Area: 

Speaker:

Coming soon!


11:15am - 1:15pm | Exhibit Hall/Food Show


1:30pm - 3:00pm | Closing Keynote

First Taste TV Episode: Plant Based

Coming soon! 
Key Area: 
Nutrition
Speakers:

Coming soon!


3:00pm - 3:15pm | Closing Remarks