iBites Podcast

Welcome to iBites, the podcast from the Institute of Child Nutrition.

In this episode, Rosalynn Ordanez shares her best kept secrets for keeping staff engaged and motivated. Rosalynn is a compassionate leader for her school nutrition team.

On this episode of The Mix Up, Patrick Garmong sits down with Leah Botko, who shares her journey from starting in food service as a teen to leading school meal programs in Massachusetts—and now stepping into a new role in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Leah reflects on career growth, mentorship, and the impact school nutrition leaders can have in shaping healthier, more engaging meals for students. Her story offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for anyone working in child nutrition.

In the first episode of Season two of the iBites Podcast, Tina Hastings brings her transformative approach to school nutrition leadership. A passionate and humble trailblazer, Tina shares insights on career development, team building, and creating meaningful professional growth opportunities in school nutrition. Listeners will be inspired by her strategic vision and commitment to empowering nutrition professionals.

Raising the Bar: Brittney Rodriguez on Scratch Cooking and Food Quality in School Nutrition

In this episode of The Mix-Up, host Patrick Garmong welcomes Brittney Rodriguez, Nutrition Services Supervisor at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in California. Serving over 15,000 students across 28 schools, Brittney shares how her team is making strategic changes to improve food quality, expand scratch and speed-scratch cooking, and strengthen operational consistency. From menu development to workforce training, Brittney emphasizes how thoughtful leadership and strong systems can transform a school meal program. This episode is packed with practical strategies for directors and supervisors aiming to modernize their operations and boost meal appeal for students.

In this episode of The MixUp Podcast, host Patrick Garmong is joined by Andrew Marshall, Wholesaler-Distributor Relations and External Partnerships at the International Fresh Produce Association. Andrew shares insights into his role as a K-12 liaison and how he's helping to shape school nutrition programs through fresh produce. The conversation dives into their shared history, the impact of initiatives like "Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools," and strategies for making fresh, healthy options more accessible to students nationwide. Tune in to learn how partnerships and innovation are transforming the K-12 nutrition landscape.

In this episode of The MixUp Podcast, host Patrick Garmong is joined by Andrew Marshall, Wholesaler-Distributor Relations and External Partnerships at the International Fresh Produce Association. Andrew shares insights into his role as a K-12 liaison and how he's helping to shape school nutrition programs through fresh produce. The conversation dives into their shared history, the impact of initiatives like "Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools," and strategies for making fresh, healthy options more accessible to students nationwide. Tune in to learn how partnerships and innovation are transforming the K-12 nutrition landscape.

We are honored to have chef Kevin Jenkins, Executive Chef at Garland ISD in Texas, on our latest episode of “The Mix Up”! Dive into an engaging conversation where Chef Kevin shares his culinary journey, innovative school meal programs.

We are thrilled to have Nick Vedia, the District Sous Chef of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, on our latest episode of “The Mix Up”! Dive into an engaging conversation where Chef Nick shares his culinary journey, innovative school meal programs, and the vibrant food culture of Virginia Beach.

In this episode of The Mix Up, Patrick Garmong talks with Patrick Kenneally, who moved from hospitality to significantly influence school nutrition as the

Capital Region BOCES Shared Foodservice Management, School Lunch Director, in New York State. They discuss overcoming the complexities of district-wide food service management, the shift towards local, scratch-made meals, and the critical roles of staff training and grant utilization. Kenneally’s move to the Chef Ann Foundation highlights the vast potential in school nutrition for career advancement. This conversation is essential for those interested in the evolution of school nutrition and the impact of collaborative efforts.

Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

The post The Mix Up Podcast – Episode 24 – Patrick Kenneally first appeared on Institute of Child Nutrition.

Join The MixUp as we sit down with Jason Tepper. Tune in for an inspiring journey of taste and knowledge, serving up an episode that’s too flavorful to miss.

Music: Dirty Gertie by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

The post The Mix Up Podcast – Episode 23 – Jason Tepper first appeared on Institute of Child Nutrition.