CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION PROPOSAL(S)

Share What’s Working in Your Program – and What You’ve Learned Along the Way

The New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) invites school nutrition professionals, partners, and subject-matter experts to submit breakout session proposals for our Spring Conference this April.

We are looking for practical, real-world sessions that help school nutrition teams do their jobs better today — and prepare for what’s coming next. You do not need to be a “professional speaker” to present. If you’ve solved a problem, tried something new, or learned lessons the hard way, we want to hear from you.

Sessions should be interactive, honest, and focused on takeaways attendees can use immediately.

What Kinds of Sessions Are We Looking For?

Campfire Chat Sessions (Industry Partners) - 30 minute sessions, presented once

Registration Required: You must be registered as an Industry Partner to secure your spot. Campfire Chat Sessions will take place on Wednesday and Thursday in the Marketplace. The goal of Campfire Chat Sessions are to informally exchange ideas and short best practices within 30 minutes. Presenters agree to be available on April 29 or 30, 2026. The conference committee will confirm the exact time in early Spring of 2026. Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a Full Registration at the 2026 Annual Conference. Workshops are not guaranteed to be accepted. All submissions will be reviewed by the Conference Committee. If accepted, a $750 workshop sponsor fee will apply.

Innovative Solutions Sessions (Industry Partners) - 30 minute sessions, presented twice

The Innovative Solution Sessions will take place on Thursday at the Spring Annual Conference, presented by accepted Industry Partners. These sessions are designed for industry leaders to showcase their programs, products or services to key decision-makers, discuss their solutions in-depth, and receive valuable feedback. At the same time, operators will be introduced to the latest products in the market; spanning food, beverage, supplies, services, technology, and equipment. Network & Engage with Industry Leaders.

Presenters agree to be available on April 30th. Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a Full Registration at the 2026 Annual Conference. Workshops are not guaranteed to be accepted. All submissions will be reviewed by the Conference Committee. If accepted, a $1,500 workshop sponsor fee will apply.

Educational Breakout Sessions (All member types) - 1 hour sessions, presented once

Below are topics identified by our Conference Committee as areas of special interest in 2026. Please keep in mind that these are requested topics, not requirements — if your idea isn’t listed but this list has sparked a great idea, submit it anyway.

Industry Partner Submissions for Educational Sessions: Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a Full Registration at the 2026 Annual Conference. Workshops are not guaranteed to be accepted. All submissions will be reviewed by the Conference Committee. All Industry Partner submissions, if accepted, are beholden to a $1,000 workshop sponsor fee. 

USDA Foods, Menus, and Operations

• Diversion and commodity processing - practical strategies for using USDA Foods effectively
• Transitioning to speed-scratch or scratch cooking - lessons learned and best practices
• Using artificial intelligence (AI) for menu planning and future program development
• Understanding food trends for children and how they should inform menu decisions, including insights supported by manufacturer data
• Summer meal programming, including operating congregate versus non-congregate models

Universal Meals, CEP, and Financial Planning

• Panel discussion: schools that previously operated under CEP and schools now serving universal meals for the first time, focused on what has changed - and what those lessons mean for the future of school meals. Who benefitted from their implementation, who did not, and why?
• Real Talk: the pros, cons, and real challenges of universal meals implementation, including how districts worked through obstacles and what the transition required
• CEP and financial planning: including forecasting, budgeting, and reinvesting in your program

Policy, USDA, and Legislative Updates

• USDA program updates and what school nutrition professionals need to know
• Legislative updates related to food additives and ingredient standards

Allergies and Meal Modifications

• Managing meal modifications for allergies and preferences as participation increases. Going beyond cross-contamination – strengthening internal processes around identifying and modifying for potential allergens.

Workforce Recruitment and Staffing

• Recruiting and hiring staff in today’s labor market: hiring strategies that address urgency and help districts fill open positions quickly
• Tactics for reaching potential employees who may not have access to smartphones, QR codes, or online applications

Leadership and Management

• Leadership skills for managing conflict and difficult staff situations
• Managing and leading a multigenerational workforce while preparing for the future

Session Format

• Interactive discussion is encouraged
• Sessions may be solo presentations, panels, or facilitated conversations

Why Present?

Presenting at NYSNA’s Spring Conference allows you to:

• Share your experience with peers who understand your challenges
• Help shape best practices across New York
• Build your professional profile within the school nutrition community
• Contribute to the growth and strength of our field

Submission Details

• Proposal Deadline: February 6, 2026
• All proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Committee in late Winter 2026
• Sessions should be educational, not sales-focused