Conference Pocket Experience 2021

Now Available for purchase!

Click HERE

You really won't believe how easy the Pocket Experience is to navigate...check out the video below for a quick tour!

What is the Virtual Pocket Experience?

Simply put, it is an opportunity to attend some of the same education sessions that were offered at this year's conference AND earn up to 8 CEUs using an incredibly easy virtual platform! You simply click a link within an email sent to you upon registration, and it will take you to a virtual magazine ("digizine" if you will) where you will find embedded videos on the pages. View the videos with just the click of your mouse! It's really that easy!

What education sessions will be offered?

Great question! The Professional Development team chose sessions that will benefit all member categories...Directors, Managers and Employees!

1. Hidden Barriers to Working Smarter - Ervin Watson, Vantage Resource Group

DESCRIPTION: It is so easy to allow the daily grind of working in the kitchen to distract your focus and we can overlook
obstacles that make our days more difficult. If there has ever been a time when we need our days to be less stressful, it is now. As a former school nutrition manager, Ervin shares from his experience, different ways to approach barriers created by people and by processes that make it difficult to be as productive as possible. Sometimes the solution is right in front of us and it only takes a minor adjustment to experience greater peace of mind.

2. Fill Up Your Pantry: Fight Hunger and Nourish Your Community - Hanna Kelley, LD,RD, American Dairy Association, Indiana

DESCRIPTION: With over 13 million children facing hunger in the United States, school nutrition programs have provided back bone support to students in need. To supplement these efforts, schools across the state are setting up food pantry and backpack programs, allowing kids more opportunities for a healthy meal when the school day ends. Join the American Dairy Association Indiana and school food service partners for an update on the impact of Covid 19 on child hunger, grant funding available, and how schools like yours can fill their pantries and fight hunger with the help of their community. Toolkit provided to all attendees.

3. Hot Topics in the Industry: What’s the Latest - Holly Moran, MS, RD, LD, CDCES, Heartland Food Products Group

DESCRIPTION: The field of nutrition is so diverse ranging from healthcare, public health, foodservice management, and wellness outreach. The day-to-day operations of School Nutrition Programs can be all consuming so we might miss the latest news and updates in our field. Join us to review the latest research, trends, and hot topics in the field of nutrition. Welcome back Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Holly Moran MS, RDN, CDE, to share nutrition hot topics and trends.

4. Tech Tools for Program Efficiency - Gracie Dowsett, South Madison Community School Corporation and Audrey Banich, RD, Franklin Township Community School Corporation

DESCRIPTION: Discover new applications for Google resources to take your program's tech game to the next level! We'll share the tools we use to easily create and implement remote ordering, nutrition calendars, weekly staff emails, manager dashboards, and more!

5. Sodium in School Meals - Judith LaMere, MS, Indiana University Health

DESCRIPTION: The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 introduced a focus on sodium reduction in school meals. While we've been navigating the step-wise decrease in sodium nutrition regulations, we've also been battling administration changes, supply chain issues, and a global pandemic. It's easy to forget that the sodium tier 3 deadline is fast approaching on July 1, 2022. Pending sodium waiver extensions, it is critical to know the latest research on sodium for the K-12 audience. Join Registered Dietitian, Diabetes Educator, and Pediatric Nutrition Specialist, Judy LaMere MS, RDN, CDE, to review the latest research on sodium.

6. Type 1 Diabetes: What Parents Wish You Knew about Supporting Students with Special Dietary Needs - Lindsey Hill, RD, SNS, South Madison Community School Corporation

DESCRIPTION: Ever wonder who exactly is using the carb counts you provide? Do they even include the information the parent, child, or nurse actually needs? Have you ever had a conversation with a school nurse about what they do or do not need to support their students? As a School Nutrition Director, Registered Dietitian, and Mom to a child with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Lindsey has learned what she did wrong in supporting those students and their care team for so many years until she had first-hand experience as a parent of a child with special dietary needs.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that is one of the most common chronic diseases in children - and studies have shown that its prevalence is increasing. When a doctor or a parent familiar with T1D recommends 'Don't eat school lunch!,' we as a school nutrition industry can do better! Let's explore together how simple choices in planning our menus affect all children, especially those with special dietary needs.

Wait? This doesn't add up...I read above that you can earn 8 CEUs, but there are only 6 courses listed above. How do I earn the remaining 2 CEUs?

I am so glad you asked! There is an exciting answer! Once you have registered for the conference Virtual Pocket Experience, you will receive a confirmation email containing 2 separate links to register for 2 additional LIVE sessions via Zoom! Unfortunately, if you register AFTER February 8th you only have access to the last LIVE session and a total of 7 CEUs.

See information for the Live portions of the event below...