iBites Podcast

Lisa Strine is a Child Nutrition Manager in Fort Worth, Texas, who brings retail training expertise and 18 years of school nutrition experience to her role—where she serves 780 meals daily and maintains an impressive student participation rate. As her district’s in-house trainer and compliance expert, Lisa prepares new managers for success through hands-on MIT (Manager in Training) camps while ensuring her own team stays audit-ready and confident. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from retail management to school nutrition passion, reveals why production records are her “kitchen Bible,” and offers candid advice on navigating administrative reviews, batch cooking operations, and the inevitable equipment failures. Her leadership philosophy? Train your staff so well they could take over your job, take one deep breath when stress hits, and never forget that you can’t do this work alone.

This podcast episode is about the real work of school nutrition leadership. In this episode, we explore how a kitchen manager builds strong teams, engages students, and creates menu programs that balance nutrition standards with student appeal. Practical strategies are shared for staff development and motivation, creative approaches to menu marketing and student engagement, and proven methods for increasing meal participation. From career inspiration to day-to-day leadership challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights.

Welcome to iBites, the podcast from the Institute of Child Nutrition. On iBites, we talk with school nutrition professionals from around the country. Our guests share real experiences, practical tips, and proven strategies to support your work. Whether you’re an experienced nutrition director, a manager, or new to child nutrition, this is your community to connect, learn, and get inspired. Grab your coworkers or your earbuds, put on your walking shoes, or find a comfy spot. It’s time to dive in! Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you, your dedication, and the difference you make each day in nourishing the next generation. Crystal Beers shares her approach to leading her staff and making sure all her students are fed with a smile and warm greeting.

Welcome to iBites, the podcast from the Institute of Child Nutrition. On iBites, we talk with school nutrition professionals from around the country. Our guests share real experiences, practical tips, and proven strategies to support your work. Whether you’re an experienced nutrition director, a manager, or new to child nutrition, this is your community to connect, learn, and get inspired. Grab your coworkers or your earbuds, put on your walking shoes, or find a comfy spot. It’s time to dive in! Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you, your dedication, and the difference you make each day in nourishing the next generation. In this episode, Rosalynn Ordanez shares her best kept secrets for keeping staff engaged and motivated. Rosalynn is a compassionate leader for her school nutrition team.

Welcome to iBites, the podcast from the Institute of Child Nutrition.On iBites, we talk with school nutrition professionals from around the country. Our guests share real experiences, practical tips, and proven strategies to support your work. Whether you’re an experienced nutrition director, a manager, or new to child nutrition, this is your community to connect, learn, and get inspired.Grab your coworkers or your earbuds, put on your walking shoes, or find a comfy spot. It’s time to dive in!Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you, your dedication, and the difference you make each day in nourishing the next generation. In the first episode of Season 2 of the iBites Podcast, Tina Hastings brings her transformative approach to school nutrition leadership. A passionate and humble trailblazer, Tina shares insights on career development, team building, and creating meaningful professional growth opportunities in school nutrition. Listeners will be inspired by her strategic vision and commitment to empowering nutrition professionals.

Host Patrick Garmong sits down with national school nutrition leader Stephen O’Brien to talk about how school meals can shape a student’s relationship with food for life. They dig into scratch cooking, smart procurement, small-district strategies, building allies, and why universal free meals shift the conversation from access to quality.

On this episode of The Mix Up, Patrick Garmong sits down with Leah Botko, who shares her journey from starting in food service as a teen to leading school meal programs in Massachusetts—and now stepping into a new role in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Leah reflects on career growth, mentorship, and the impact school nutrition leaders can have in shaping healthier, more engaging meals for students. Her story offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for anyone working in child nutrition.

Raising the Bar: Brittney Rodriguez on Scratch Cooking and Food Quality in School Nutrition In this episode of The Mix-Up, host Patrick Garmong welcomes Brittney Rodriguez, Nutrition Services Supervisor at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in California. Serving over 15,000 students across 28 schools, Brittney shares how her team is making strategic changes to improve food quality, expand scratch and speed-scratch cooking, and strengthen operational consistency. From menu development to workforce training, Brittney emphasizes how thoughtful leadership and strong systems can transform a school meal program. This episode is packed with practical strategies for directors and supervisors aiming to modernize their operations and boost meal appeal for students. #CulinaryJourney #SchoolMeals  #TheMixUpPodcast Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode of The MixUp Podcast, host Patrick Garmong is joined by Andrew Marshall, Wholesaler-Distributor Relations and External Partnerships at the International Fresh Produce Association. Andrew shares insights into his role as a K-12 liaison and how he’s helping to shape school nutrition programs through fresh produce. The conversation dives into their shared history, the impact of initiatives like “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools,” and strategies for making fresh, healthy options more accessible to students nationwide. Tune in to learn how partnerships and innovation are transforming the K-12 nutrition landscape. #CulinaryJourney #SchoolMeals  #TheMixUpPodcast Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode of The Mix-Up, Chef Patrick Garmong chats with Chef Chela Cooper, the Regional Culinary Implementation Specialist for the USDA’s FNS MARO Region at the Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition. Chef Chela shares her journey from growing up in a food-focused family in Kansas City to her groundbreaking role in child nutrition. The discussion delves into her passion for culinary education, her unique position at the Institute, and her efforts to enhance school nutrition programs. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the power of food to nourish and educate! #CulinaryJourney #SchoolMeals  #ChefChelaCooper  #TheMixUpPodcast Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

We are honored to have chef Kevin Jenkins, Executive Chef at Garland ISD in Texas, on our latest episode of “The Mix Up”! Dive into an engaging conversation where Chef Kevin shares his culinary journey, innovative school meal programs. Don’t miss out on Chef Kevin’s insights and passion for creating nutritious and delicious meals for students. Tune in now and be inspired by his dedication to making a difference in the community! #CulinaryJourney #SchoolMeals  #ChefKevinJenkins  #TheMixUpPodcast Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

We are thrilled to have Nick Vedia, the District Sous Chef of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, on our latest episode of “The Mix Up”! Dive into an engaging conversation where Chef Nick shares his culinary journey, innovative school meal programs, and the vibrant food culture of Virginia Beach. Don’t miss out on Chef Nick’s insights and passion for creating nutritious and delicious meals for students. Tune in now and be inspired by his dedication to making a difference in the community! #CulinaryJourney #SchoolMeals  #ChefNickVedia  #TheMixUpPodcast Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode of The Mix Up, Patrick Garmong talks with Patrick Kenneally, who moved from hospitality to significantly influence school nutrition as the Capital Region BOCES Shared Foodservice Management, School Lunch Director, in New York State. They discuss overcoming the complexities of district-wide food service management, the shift towards local, scratch-made meals, [Read More]

Join The MixUp as we sit down with Jason Tepper. Tune in for an inspiring journey of taste and knowledge, serving up an episode that’s too flavorful to miss. Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Join The MixUp as we sit down with Eric Span, the visionary Director of Nutrition Services at Sweetwater Union High in San Diego! Discover Eric’s unique blend of hospitality and nutrition experience that transforms school meals into sustainable, nutritious, and educational delights for students. Tune in for an inspiring journey of taste and [Read More]

Join Chef Patrick as he welcomes back Missy Poirier, the Nutrition Services Director of Jurupa Unified School District, for an insightful conversation about changing roles and advancing in the ranks of Child Nutrition Programs. Hear firsthand about Missy’s journey from district chef to her current role and gain valuable insights into the world [Read More]

Chef Patrick sits down with Chef Jason Hull Director of Culinary Services/Founder of Culinary Farm at Marin Country Day School. Join them as they chat about Chef Jason's work to develop a culinary culture in his program. Listen to his mission to inspire healthful eating for the children in his program. [Read More]

On this episode, we welcome Chef Samantha Cowens-Gasbarro, Executive Chef of Healthy School Recipes and a Child Nutrition Consultant. Learn about her fantastic work bringing culturally important recipes to the schools in her home state of Maine.

Join Chef Patrick as he chats with Stephen Menyhart, Chef, Register Dietician, and Child Nutrition champion. Learn how, and more importantly, why, Stephen began his journey in child nutrition. Hear his story of personal and professional growth in the industry he calls home, child nutrition.

Join Chef Patrick as he Mixes it Up with Bettina Applewhite, Sr. Operations Supervisor, Southwest Area, Baltimore County Public Schools. In this episode, they chat about serving diverse communities, school nutrition as a career path, Bettina’s experience on Bravo’s Top Chef Amateurs, and more!