What does it really take to make food education for all more than just a great idea? In this lively, laugh‑filled episode recorded at the Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Albuquerque, the Farm to School Podcast crew digs into how food can be a powerful lens for learning—without becoming “one more thing” for schools. Joined by all‑star thought partners Alex DeSorbo‑Quinn of Pilot Light and Erica Curry of Row by Row, the conversation explores joy, standards, gardens, cafeterias, culture, and creativity—and why there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all recipe for teaching kids about food. Come chew on big ideas, practical examples, and a shared belief that learning through food can help students (and teachers) thrive.

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Wouldn’t that be a great title for a children’s book? In this episode, we dive deep—pun absolutely intended—into the world of bay-to-tray (or boat-to-school) with former school nutrition director–turned–seafood innovator Jenn Lovewell. From discovering a fish with no market to building an entirely new supply chain for schools, Jenn shares how solving one small puzzle piece at a time led to a movement that now stretches from Monterey Bay to the Chesapeake. Joined unexpectedly in the hallway by longtime friend and Farm to School leader Miguel Villarreal, the conversation flows through fish stories, student sustainability clubs, local pride, kitchen‑staff heritage, and the power of piloting big ideas with courage and heart. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the belief that better food—served with love—can change a whole school food system.

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In this episode, we sit down with longtime school nutrition leader Michael Rosenberger to pull back the curtain on what excellence in school food service really looks like—and why it matters far beyond the lunch line. From boosting attendance and graduation rates to serving true “brain food” at breakfast, Michael, Rick and Michelle reveal how school meals can be one of a district’s most powerful academic tools. Along the way, we explore the hidden pressures of audits, the art of daily readiness, the magic of telling your story before someone else does, and the surprising ways partnerships—yes, even with “frenemies”—can elevate farm to school work. Part pep talk, part playbook, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, creativity, and why investing in people may just be the ultimate secret ingredient.

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