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