REGISTRATION FEES
*MUST PRE-REGISTER - onsite registration is not allowed
Full registration includes:
- Hotel room for 2 nights at Host Hotel (Gideon Putnam)
- Access to General Sessions and Education Sessions
- Tuesday Welcome Event/ Dinner ticket
- Wednesday Breakfast and Networking Lunch
- Thursday Breakfast
Food Service Operator Member $599 / per member
NYSNA Member Only Event - Must be current through March 31, 2026
Registration Closes EOB April 11, 2025 (while supplies last)
Cancellation Policy: There will be a $50 processing fee for each refund request for canceled registrations submitted in writing on or before April 11, 2025. You may submit your cancellation request via email to: [email protected].
After this date (April 11, 2025), NYSNA will not give refunds for cancellations or for NO-SHOWS.
Payments: Payment in full must be received fourteen (14) days prior to the event start date. If payment or purchase order is not received fourteen (14) days prior to the event start date , you will be notified and your registration will be canceled.
* Pre-Conference Workshop & Tour: Innovation in School Nutrition – Exploring Alternative Revenue Streams
Kick off the Innovation in School Nutrition Conference with an exclusive Pre-Con experience! Join us for an insightful tour of a local high school that’s transforming school nutrition with creative, revenue-generating initiatives.
Participants will:
✅ Tour the school's newly renovated cafeteria and serving counter setup
✅ Explore the Coffee Café, a thriving on-campus business
✅ Step inside a fully operational Food Truck and learn how it serves students and the community
✅ Engage in a discussion on alternative revenue streams—from grab-and-go concepts to specialized service models
Learn firsthand how schools are diversifying funding, enhancing student engagement, and redefining the school dining experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain inspiration and actionable ideas to bring back to your district!
Space is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Lunch is included with the workshop. Must register for full conference to be able to attend the pre-conference workshop. Pre- registration required.
Fee: $50 per person (Food Service Operators only)
CEUs: 2
Additional Family/Spouse Tuesday Welcome Event Ticket - $100
*Family/Spouse qualification applies to those individuals who are not in the foodservice industry
School Nutrition Innovation Conference Schedule
(subject to change)
Click Here to View the Agenda At A Glance
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
11:00am - 4:30pm Registration Open
8:00am - 12:00pm SLAC Committee Meeting – Invitation only
12:00pm - 2:00pm Pre-Conference Workshop (Food Service Operators only) Pre-registration required
3:00pm - 5:00pm Opening General Session | Updates from Office of General Services
Introduction to SLAC
Join us for a dynamic and interactive discussion introducing the School Lunch Advisory Council (SLAC). This session will give attendees a chance to explore key topics such as menu planning and pricing, state processing, the DOD fresh produce program, and communication and training needs. Seated by SLAC regions, each table will engage with a SLAC representative to discuss real challenges and opportunities, share insights, and help shape the support and resources districts need moving forward.
How to Effectively Order & Utilize USDA Foods in NY
The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) will present this informative session on effectively managing your USDA Foods and entitlement funds. Learn insider tips, best practices, and practical strategies to streamline ordering, maximize your allocations, and ensure your program runs efficiently. Whether you're new to the process or looking for ways to optimize your current approach, this session will provide valuable insights to help you make the most of your resources.
Meal Planning to Meal Service: A Structured Guide to Making the Most of Your Entitlement Dollars
The New York State Office of General Services (OGS), in partnership with food service directors and industry professionals, will take you through USDA foods in your schools on best practices to understand entitlement usage and direct diversion. This will include strategies of when and where food service directors should be looking to enhance menus and be compliant with USDA foods.
6:00pm - 8:00pm Welcome Dinner - "NYSNA Whodunit?!"
A Night of mystery, mingling, and mayhem! Come dressed as your favorite mystery character and step into a Clue-inspired evening of intrigue. Network your way through the night, collecting game cards — Who? Where? Weapon? Why? — to solve the mystery. Our members will play the cast of characters, venues, and motives. Connect, collaborate, and see if you can crack the case before the culprit is revealed!
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
7:00am - 4:00pm Registration Open
8:00am - 10:00am General Session | New York State Education Department (Breakfast provided)
Stay up to date on the latest in child nutrition with an engaging and interactive session led by the State Education Department. The session will begin with a brief presentation covering key updates, including the Buy American provision, the new USDA nutrient standards and implementation timeline, and the launch of a new Learning Management System (LMS). Then, put your knowledge to the test in a Jeopardy-style game! Covering topics like meal patterns, procurement, meal counting and claiming, Pre-K programs, child nutrition programs, and the master instructor network, this interactive session will reinforce important concepts in a fun and engaging way.
10:15am - 11:45am Speed Networking (Round One)
12:00pm - 1:00pm Networking Lunch
1:15pm - 2:45pm Speed Networking (Round Two)
2:45pm - 3:15pm Networking Break
3:15pm - 4:45pm Preparing for Universal School Meals: Key Insights & Best Practices
Moderator: Bryan McCoy, Broome-Tioga BOCES
Speakers: Kayla McDaniel, MS, NDTR, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (Wayne County, MI); Caitlin Lazarski, MS, RD, SNS, Pine Bush Central Schools; Kate Dorr, RD, MBA, Oneida Herkimer Madison BOCES; Sarah Keen, MS, RD, Schuylerville Central Schools; Patrick Kenneally, Chef Ann Foundation
As New York moves toward passing the Healthy School Meals for All legislation, this panel will offer key insights on how to prepare for the transition. Panelists from diverse districts will share best practices for managing increased meal counts, staffing needs, equipment, and storage. Learn how to overcome challenges like stigma, increase meal participation, and navigate changes to a la carte sales and meal schedules. With practical tips and lessons from districts that have implemented universal meals, this session will provide the tools needed to ensure a smooth transition to universal meals in your school.
Dinner on Own / Explore Saratoga Springs
Thursday, May 15, 2025
7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast Provided
8:30am - 9:30am Educational Breakout Sessions (More information to come)
Employee Attraction & Retention - Kayla McDaniel, MS, NDTR; Megan Bates, SNS
More information to come.
Serving Success: Enhance Nutrition & Reimbursement with Afterschool Meals - Kayla Snyder, Hunger Solutions NY
Schools that offer snacks to students in afterschool programs may be eligible to serve a complete meal. The At-Risk Afterschool Meal component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a win-win for students and schools. Offering a complete after-school meal helps improve student nutrition and bolsters school food revenue with nearly 4x the reimbursement of NSLP snacks alone. Join Hunger Solutions New York to learn more about CACFP eligibility, program flexibilities, and how to get started.
Campfire Chat: Continue the Conversation about CEP - Caitlin Lazarski, MS, RD, SNS, Kate Dorr, RD, MBA; Sarah Keen, MS, RD; Patrick Kenneally
After hearing from panelists earlier in the day, join us for a deeper, more interactive conversation focused on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This informal session offers a space to ask follow-up questions, share your own challenges, and explore specific scenarios with panelists who have firsthand experience. Whether you're considering CEP or looking to strengthen your current approach with the possibility of universal meals in NY, this is your chance to get real-time feedback, tips, and support from peers and practitioners in the field.
State Agency Round Tables
Connect directly with representatives from OGS, NYSED, and Agriculture & Markets in this interactive roundtable-style session. Held in two timeframes to allow for deeper conversations, these discussions will give attendees the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and gain clarity on key issues affecting school nutrition programs across New York. Whether you're seeking updates, troubleshooting challenges, or looking to strengthen agency relationships, this is your chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with the state agencies that help shape your work.
9:45am - 10:45am Educational Breakout Sessions (More information to come)
Procurement and Direct Diversion - Marianne Dayton, SNS
Make every dollar count! This session dives into how to strategically allocate, spend, and track your USDA Foods entitlement to get the most value for your program. Learn how Direct Diversion works, how to plan effectively throughout the year, and how to navigate procurement decisions that support both compliance and cost savings.
A Place at the Table - Cultural Inclusivity in the Menu to Drive Participation - Kayla McDaniel, MS, NDTR
This session will provide valuable insights into understanding the diverse cultural and religious dietary needs of your student population, fostering an inclusive and equitable dining experience. Attendees will learn how approach adaptation of their school menus to reflect cultural/religious preferences and ensure accessibility for students with various dietary restrictions. By exploring strategies for creating a welcoming and supportive food environment, participants will be equipped to promote a sense of belonging for all students. Attendees will leave with practical tools to enhance equity, inclusion, and student well-being through thoughtful menu planning and community engagement.
Vending 101: Reimbursable Meals Unpacked - Caitlin Lazarski, MS, RD, SNS
As school nutrition programs seek innovative ways to increase participation and meet students where they are, vending machines have emerged as a powerful tool for serving reimbursable meals—anytime, anywhere. But how do you ensure compliance with USDA meal pattern requirements while navigating logistics, equipment, food safety, and student appeal? In this session, participants will unpack the essentials of launching a successful reimbursable vending program. From planning and procurement to promotion and production, you’ll learn how to implement a vending solution that enhances access, maintains integrity, and supports program growth. Whether you're just curious or ready to launch, this session will leave you with the knowledge and confidence to make vending work for your program.
State Agency Round Tables
Connect directly with representatives from OGS, NYSED, and Agriculture & Markets in this interactive roundtable-style session. Held in two timeframes to allow for deeper conversations, these discussions will give attendees the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and gain clarity on key issues affecting school nutrition programs across New York. Whether you're seeking updates, troubleshooting challenges, or looking to strengthen agency relationships, this is your chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with the state agencies that help shape your work.
11:15am-12:00pm Closing General Session
Cancellation Policy: There will be a $50 processing fee for each refund request for canceled registrations submitted in writing on or before April 11, 2025. You may submit your cancellation request via email to: [email protected].
After this date (April 11, 2025), NYSNA will not give refunds for cancellations or for NO-SHOWS.
Payments: Payment in full must be received fourteen (14) days prior to the event start date. If payment or purchase order is not received fourteen (14) days prior to the event start date , you will be notified and your registration will be canceled.
