Unlock the Potential Opportunities in School Nutrition

This product is free for NEP members.

This webinar was presented live on June 21, 2023.

School Nutrition is a practice area in the dietetics profession that plays a significant role in health behavior and outcomes among students enrolled in public schools, thereby influencing the future of our country. From work in public policy to school breakfast and lunch service, practitioners can have a positive impact and improve student health. Our speakers, Melissa Manning, RDN and Shannan Young, RDN, SNS will discuss their involvement and contributions in School Nutrition in their own private practice, or managing community programs that link with nutrition education and healthy food production in schools, respectively. Three Dietetic Interns will share their experiences learning the basics skills to begin a career in School Nutrition and lead an in-depth discussion to spark the interest of nutrition students to consider this field as a future career.

CPE Level: 1
CPEU: 2.5
Performance Indicators: 1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.4.4

Learning Objectives

• Describe the role of a registered dietitian in school nutrition exploring career opportunities at local, state and national levels and when building their own entrepreneurial/private practice.
• Identify the various professional development opportunities and national organizations available in school nutrition field, e.g., School Nutrition Association (at local, state and national levels), Dairy Council of California, and Institute of Child Nutrition.
• Discuss the experiences of dietetic interns during their school nutrition rotation demonstrating the different roles of a practicing RD and identifying dietetic internships with a school nutrition rotation/emphasis.

Speakers

Melissa Manning, RDN

Melissa has a deep-rooted passion for school nutrition. She is owner and founder of My School RD, a consulting company with the vision of schools creating healthier lunch menus. Melissa has 20 years of experience as a child nutrition specialist and nutritional analyst, and wakes up every morning with cheerful enthusiasm for the new day and the challenges it brings. As a former School Meals Initiative Audit Specialist, Melissa approaches the task of nutritional analysis, school district audit preparation, and record keeping with an eye for detail and meticulous organization. She sincerely values the relationships she carries with her clients, who are lifelong customers. Melissa has two delightful children, has mentored CSU Long Beach dietetics students for 15 years, and is on the CSULB Dietetic Internship Advisory Board. In her “spare time,” she is founder of a nonprofit organization called Legacy Kids Project, fosters kittens for the animal shelter, dabbles in horse whispering, cooking, and gardening, and is a life coach, encouraging and empowering individuals to reach their highest potential.

Shannan D. Young, RDN, SNS

Shannan has fond childhood memories of growing up on her family farm where mealtimes were always fresh, local and delicious. With a belief that everyone should have access to healthy foods and the skills to prepare them, her career focus has been on wellness and improved nutrition of school children and their families. Focused on the role of nutrition and food systems in public health, Shannan’s broad experiences range from program development, management and evaluation, research and its translation, multisectoral partnerships, and consensus building. A strategic change maker with more than 25 years of experience working at local and state levels in school nutrition, agriculture, food, and nutrition guidelines. She’s worked 11 years at the school district level and six at the California Department of Education before joining the nutrition education team at Dairy Council of California where she is now the Officer of Partnerships and Programs. As a founding leader of the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of CA collaborative and the California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative, and through her leadership in the California School Nutrition Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the California Society for Association Executives, Shannan is no stranger to engaging others to be leaders of a cause. Shannan Young has her Bachelor of Science degree in community nutrition with a focus in psychology from University of California, Davis, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and credentialed as a school nutrition specialist through School Nutrition Association.