School Nutrition

It’s no secret. Countless studies and classroom observations show that diet impacts academic achievement. Healthy kids score higher grades. It’s an easy solution! Serve nutritious meals to students. How hard can it be! Alas, school nutrition program directors and the companies who partner to serve the industry face many hurdles including confused public perceptions, changing government regulations, cost constraints, facility limitations, and the need for staff training.

Allow me to simplify your life by providing services and resources that will save time, reduce stress, and increase productivity. Let’s bring back the joy in feeding kids.

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Susan’s Vital Statistics

• 35 years in School Nutrition Program Management
• Registered Dietitian
• MA in Organizational Management
• National Speaker and Trainer
• Lecturer, UC Berkeley, 2009–2012
• ServSafe and NRFSP Instructor
• Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Member of the National Speakers Association
• Member of the School Nutrition Association
• Former President of the California School Nutrition Association
• Passion – besides food, traveling and exploring in close or far away places

About Susan Brooks, RD, MA

A long time ago, in a far away lunch room, I stood surveying my kingdom. The scent of freshly baked bread clung to my jacket like perfume. I was but a sweet young thing when the soft spoken man assured me that I was perfect to manage the high school cafeteria while teaching a food service career class. After a few harrowing experiences in the class room, I was having my doubts, but on this day, I was captain of my ship.

Arms crossed I watched as about three hundred hungry, noisy high school students flooded into the cafeteria, assumed their customary seats, and began to inhale their meal. In the midst of this congregation, up stood a lanky boy with extremely long arms. He raised one of those long arms over his head, took aim, and propelled a tator tot through the air to make a direct hit on a red haired kid five tables away. The subject of the attack stood and positioned himself ready to retaliate. Before the orange wedge could leave his fingers, I blurted out at the top of my lungs, “Don’t even think about it!” Don’t even think about it? What was I thinking! The silence that ensued was paralyzing as three hundred adolescent heads turned and stared at me. There I stood like game in an open field. “Holy crap, I’m so dead,” squeaked a tiny voice in my head. Bracing myself to be pummeled with grapes and carrot sticks, I was quite taken a back when instead of those three hundred pairs of hands heaving clumps of food, they began to clap.. slow and soft, and then louder and louder. What a rush! It was a sign! I had an epiphany. I was meant to be a school lunch lady!

Many changes and transitions in School Nutrition have been visualized and implemented since the day of my thwarted food fight. From past days of wiener wraps, to our present days of organic salad bars and sushi, I have worked with many fine lunch ladies and lads. They have inspired and taught me much. Always on the look out for an adventure, I have now been given the opportunity to share the revelations and expertise I have acquired on my journey. I relish taking this new path.

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Services

Management Services

School program managers, are you overwhelmed by regulations, short on time, wanting an objective review of your program’s financial plan or procedures, in need of a temporary director? Industry partners, do you want to increase sales?

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Training

Want to decrease workplace drama, increase customer satisfaction, and guarantee program compliance? Effective training insures increased productivity that leads to financial growth.

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Public Speaking

Looking for that energetic keynote to kick off your conference? Searching for engaging educational sessions that participants will find relevant and valuable? Are high rated program evaluations an ultimate goal?

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