2026 SNASD State Conference & Vendor Show

Join Keynote speaker Jon Colby in this highly interactive breakout session. Using a “Yes, And” mindset, attendees will tap into the collective experience in the room to generate practical solutions and fresh perspectives. Participants won’t just hear ideas — they’ll actively contribute, collaborate, and leave with actionable next steps they can implement right away.  

 Being a child nutrition worker is hard work! In this interactive, hands-on session you’ll learn to understand the difference between soreness, pain, and injury. Participants will use simple tools to learn practical myofascial release techniques to reduce pain and stiffness after long workdays, improve recovery, and optimize everyday movement so you can feel better and move easier at work.

 Learn how a strong and consistent social media presence can help your school nutrition program build excitement around school meals. This session will explore the importance of clear, repeated messaging and how consistency helps cultivate trust and engagement with students, families, and your community. Leave with practical strategies to keep your program’s ‘digital garden’ thriving all year long! 

 Farm to School connects schools with local farms and producers to bring fresh, locally grown foods into school meals while supporting the local agricultural community. Learn how these programs create opportunities for hands-on learning that can help students understand where their food comes from. Join this session for more information! 

 Step right up and explore four creative ‘acts’ of innovation happening in school nutrition programs across the state! This session will showcase how coffee bars, classroom nutrition education, school gardens, and flavor stations are working in real schools. Attendees will leave with simple, adaptable strategies to bring these innovative concepts back to their own districts. 

Strong school nutrition programs don’t happen in isolation - they thrive with support from administration and school boards. This session will explore strategies for building meaningful relationships with district decision-makers, effectively communicating the value of your program, and increasing program visibility at the leadership level. Leave feeling confident in your abilities to advocate for your program and position school nutrition as an essential part of the district’s success.

 This session will highlight the top ten most common findings from recent program reviews and what they mean for your school nutrition operation. Participants will gain practical tips and best practices to address these areas, strengthen compliance, and feel more confident going into their next review.  

 Happy people don’t just feel better — they work better. Learn how happiness directly impacts engagement, communication, productivity, and results. Backed by research and delivered with humor and participation, closing keynote speaker Kim Hodous breaks happiness down into practical habits that anyone can use — without adding more to an already full plate. Attendees will be on their feet, interacting, laughing and discovering how happiness isn’t “nice to have”, but a powerful performance advantage. 

 Should flavored milk and yogurt be offered in school nutrition programs? With concerns around added sugar as well as initiatives and regulations to reduce the sugar content of meals, it can be challenging to navigate dairy offerings across programs. Registered Dietitian, Haley Miskowiec, will discuss the nutrients in dairy foods, including milk, yogurt and cheese, and the potential tradeoffs when eliminating flavored milk and yogurt. Attendees will be equipped with school data and case studies related to eliminating flavored milk. 

 Taking care of yourself is an essential ingredient for long-term professional success. This session will explore the connection between self-care, resilience, and effective leadership, while sharing practical strategies to help you manage stress, maintain balance, and show up as your best self at work and beyond. 

School nutrition is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of new regulations, emerging trends, and everyday operational challenges can feel like a balancing act. Joint his interactive Q&A session where no topic is off limits! From meal pattern requirements, prodcurement, staffing, and financial management to food allergies and administrative reviews, CANS will tackle the issues that are center ring for nutrition professionals today.