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April 13-17, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food

Nutrition Education Track | CEU Specialty 3 | Beginner

The Future of School Meals: Innovation and Student Engagement

What if school lunch was the best part of a student’s day? Explore creative strategies to modernize school cafeterias, enhance meal appeal and increase student participation. From smart tech solutions to student-led innovations and emerging nutrition trends, uncover what’s next for school food and how your district can lead the way.

  1. Identify ways to boost appeal and nutrition of school meals.
  2. Learn how to engage students and use their feedback in menus.
  3. Explore trends and technologies that will shape the future of child nutrition programs.

Presented by

Johnna Beard Web

Johnna Beard, SNS, CMP

Director of Child Nutrition, Montgomery Public Schools

John McTear Web

John McTear

Director of Nutrition Services, Oakley Union School District

Kayla Surls Web

Kayla Surls, MA

Nutrition Specialist, Montgomery Public Schools

Early Registration Rates

$579 Members | $699 Non-Members

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Thank you to our...

Partners
Sponsors

Exhibitors

Gold Level

Food for Good by PepsiCo

KidKare by Minute Menu

Silver Level

Champion Foodservice

Diversified Foods Inc.

Food & Supply Source

General Mills

Kaplan Early Learning Company

Oliver Packaging and Equipment

Optimum Foods

Peterson Farms Family of Companies

Bronze Level

The Amazing Chickpea

Arlington Valley Farms

Brighton Training Group

Choice Partners Cooperative

E S Foods

FitEats K12

Fresh Baby

Harvest Hill Beverage Company

Health-e Pro

Highland Beef Farms

J&J Snack Foods

JA FoodService Corp

Link2Feed

MBC Companies (Bake Crafters & Nardone Bros. Brands)

McLane Hunger Solutions

MH Miles Company, CPA, PC

Myers and Stauffer LC

My Food Program

National Pork Board

Novick Childcare Solutions

NU Health Foods

Rebellyous Foods

Red Gold Tomato & Condiment Products

Starkist

StreamPay

Sun-Maid Growers of California

Sysco

Tarrier Foods/Rockin'ola

UpBup

Wawona Frozen Foods

Your Part-Time Controller

Nonprofit Level

Balanced

Dr. Yum Project

Early Learning Ventures

Institute of Child Nutrition