Will you lead, or will you follow?
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2 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
Thanks for attending—Ignite 2025 in San Antonio, TX was a boot-stompin’ good time! The biggest K-12 networking night of the year shattered attendance records and brought the energy like never before. The night kicked off with a Live Next Up Podcast, sponsored by AmTab, featuring fan favorites Conor Doyle, Lacy Willey, and Alex Hallmark sharing incredible insights that had the crowd buzzing. From bull riding, epic photo ops, professional line dancers, and Cool School Prime giveaways to nonstop networking and inspiration, this was a night to remember. The 2025 Innovation Awards went to Citrus County Schools and Zee Zees. J.T.M. Food Group took home the Recipe Trendguide Award for the second year in a row. Huge thanks to everyone who came ready to connect, celebrate, and push K-12 forward, and to our sponsors for making this unforgettable night possible. Let’s go K-12—Ignite 2025 raised the bar, and we’re already looking forward to NC!
FROM OUR PARTNERS
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IGNITE RECAP VIDEO SPONSOR THANK-YOUS ORANGE CARPET PHOTOS NEXTUP EPISODE: A SEAT AT THE TABLE: CREATING SPACES STUDENTS LOVE INNOVATION AWARDS 2025: OPERATOR WINNER INNOVATION AWARDS 2025: INDUSTRY WINNER PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD 360 CAMERA PHOTOS WITH ACCUTEMP NXTGEN MASTERCLASS 2026 PHOTO BOOTH PHOTOS WITH HEALTH-E PRO ASKJEN GIVEAWAY WINNER! MEET ASKJEN
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WILD MIKES
INTERNATIONAL FOOD SOLUTIONS
J.T.M. FOOD GROUP
AMTAB
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Interested in being a sponsor of ignite 2026?!
to our SPONSORS!
STEP RIGHT UP ORANGE CARPET PHOTOS
View more Orange Carpet photos HERE
6 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
Wild Mike’s Ultimate Pizza is revolutionizing pizza for K-12 schools with bold flavors, clean ingredients, and a commitment to better-for-you meals kids love. With whole grain crusts, reduced sodium, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, Wild Mike’s makes it easy for districts to serve fun, exciting meals while meeting nutritional guidelines. Schools can count on pizzas that perform consistently in the cafeteria, delivering a crowd-pleasing option that satisfies both students and staff. Plus, with a wide range of sizes and varieties, Wild Mike’s gives child nutrition teams the flexibility to build menus that fit their unique needs. When it comes to bringing excitement back to the lunch line, Wild Mike’s Ultimate Pizza delivers the ultimate solution—pizza that is both kid-approved and nutrition-director approved. Ready to spice up your menu? Wild Mike’s has you covered!
Click HERE to connect with Wild Mikes
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 7
STEP RIGHT UP ORANGE CARPET PHOTOS
View more Orange Carpet photos HERE
8 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
WITH
Live from Ignite 2025, this episode of the NextUp Podcast—sponsored by AmTab—dives into how school cafeterias are sparking innovation, building community, and changing the way students see nutrition. Guests Lacy Willey, Alex Hallmark, and Conor Doyle explore hydroponic gardens, charcuterie-style bento boxes, culturally inspired menus, and modern cafeteria redesigns that make mealtime exciting and engaging. From reimagining cafeteria spaces to introducing global flavors, this conversation highlights the creativity and passion driving the future of school nutrition—and the powerful role marketing and storytelling play in reshaping public perception. A SEAT AT THE TABLE: CREATING SPACES STUDENTS LOVE
Alex Hallmark Director of Child Nutrition at Desoto County Schools
Conner Doyle Marketing Manager for AmTab
Lacey Willey, MA, RD, LD, SNS Director of Child Nutrition at Cleveland ISD
Marlon Gordon Host | Founder | CEO NxtGen Network
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMTAB SCHOOL SOLUTIONS HERE!
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 9
PRESENTED BY:
AND
OPERATOR WINNER
CONGRATULATIONS CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS! CITRUS COUNTY, FL
“We launched “Restaurant Inspirations” this school year with great success! The excitement it created in the cafeterias was truly appreciated by our School Faculty and Administration. We made a point highlighting restaurants within our community, brand names that students would recognize, recipes/menu items that are signature items within the restaurant and of course ease of duplicating and serving the signature items. One of the local restaurants we spotlighted was ”Sonny’s BBQ”. Sonny’s Corporate sent several Pit Masters to help serve our students. To say students were thrilled would be an under statement. Working with our local Business Partners helps to market not only our School Nutrition Program, but their establishment as well. It emphasizes to our community that we are “Not Your Momma’s School Food Service!”
10 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
CONGRATULATIONS CLEVELAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CLEVELAND, TX!
“HydroTribe is a school-based initiative that brings hydroponic farming into classrooms and cafeterias to connect learning with healthy eating. Through compact Flex Farms, students grow fresh produce while exploring STEM, sustainability, and nutrition concepts aligned with TEKS. The harvest is incorporated into school meals, giving students a full seed-to-plate experience. Fully funded and designed for scalability, HydroTribe prepares CTE students with career ready skills, fosters environmental responsibility, and builds a united community of learners, educators, and nutrition professionals.”
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS JEFFERSON COUNTY, KY
“JCPS utilizes social media, qr codes, food taste testing events, has a food truck, uses local products as possible and available, a central kitchen, tray of the week contests, executive chef, our own signature sauces, muffins, and other house-made recipes! We also create our own yearly marketing calendar that goes out to all school managers and leads to utilize during the year. We do a large taste testing event once a year with students and parents for the entire district (147 schools), as well as host other smaller taste testing events called SNAC- Student nutrition Activity Committee. Schools participate in contests and themed events. WE also created our own logo for cafeterias in our district called 502 Food Works (our area code is 502) and named our food truck LOU CHEW (louisville).”
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INDUSTRY WINNER
CONGRATULATIONS Zee Zees! GRAB THE TAB MEAL DEBT RELIEF
Zee Zees and National Food Group launched Grab The Tab in 2023 to address the growing crisis of school meal debt. Through financial grants and in-kind donations of Zee Zees snacks, the program has helped schools across the country relieve this burden—supporting both students and families. To date, the program has provided over $200,000 in funding and food donations. Grab The Tab fills the gap where state and federal programs fall short. It supports schools that don’t qualify for universal meals and families who struggle but weight off students and ensures everyone can focus on learning without shame or worry. Including Zee Zees snacks in donations promotes nutrition and offers schools kid-friendly, compliant menu options.
12 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
International Food Solutions delivers delicious, nutritious meals that meet K–12 guidelines while fitting within budget requirements. With culinary-focused, restaurant-quality options, the company helps schools boost participation and satisfaction. Its brands—Asian Food Solutions, Comida Vida, and Aahar Foods—bring authentic global flavors to cafeterias nationwide. Driven by innovation, International Food Solutions creates high-quality, craveable products that make school meals both easy to serve and exciting to eat.
Click HERE to connect with IFS
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 13
You voted!
The 2025 People’s Choice Award Goes to...
and their Penne Rosa Recipe! J.t.m. food group
CHECK OUT THEIR WINNING RECIPE HERE!
14 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
At this year’s ANC, J.T.M. Food Group celebrated innovation in school nutrition by announcing the winners of their 2025 Crave Recipe Contest. Attendees sampled new crave-worthy creations and explored J.T.M.’s latest product innovations designed to make school meals more delicious and efficient. Visit www. jtmfoodgroup.com/ANC to explore this year’s Crave Collection and discover all the exciting new menu solutions from J.T.M.
Click HERE to connect with J.t.m. food group
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 15
3600 CAMERA
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND....
Sponsored By
View more 360 Camera videos HERE
16 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
THE NXTGEN MASTERCLASS IS BACK — AND BIGGER THAN EVER. Experience two full days of hands-on learning led by experts in: Culinary Innovation | Marketing Strategy | Photography | Videography
April 7-10 2026, Orlando FL
Join us in Orlando for a one-of-a-kind professional development experience designed exclusively for K–12 School Nutrition Directors from across the country. This event is about more than training. It’s about building real relationships, gaining practical skills, and walking away with the tools to lead, create, and inspire in your district. If you’re looking to increase ADP by better telling your story, elevating your brand, or connecting with fellow leaders in school nutrition, this is the place to do it.
LET’S COME TOGETHER TO LEARN, GROW, AND CONTINUE TO PUSH SCHOOL NUTRITION FORWARD.
OPERATORS: Interested in attending? Click here!
INDUSTRY MEMBERS: Want to join the experience? Click here!
INFO@NXTGENNETWORK.COM
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 17
3600 CAMERA CONTINUED
Sponsored By
18 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
AmTab creates modern, popular, and fun K-12 food courts for students across the country. Combining stylish furniture with stunning graphics can elevate your school nutrition programs to new heights. If you are interested in taking the first step to create a space that students want to be a part of, we would love to connect and work together to transform your cafeterias into beautifully designed K-12 food courts!
Click HERE to connect with AmTab!
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 19
View more photo Booth Photos HERE
Sponsored By
20 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
free askjen for 1 year
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 21
Sponsored By
22 | IGNITE RECAP 2025
Fueling Success Through Professional Development in School Nutrition In the ever-evolving world of school nutrition, staying ahead means more than just serving meals—it’s about cultivating a team that’s skilled, motivated, and ready to meet the needs of every student. Professional development isn’t just a box to check, it’s the secret sauce that keeps your program thriving. Here are some actionable tips to ensure your team is always prepared to serve nutritious and delicious meals: • Leverage Free Resources: Organizations like the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) and USDA’s Team Nutrition offer free training modules tailored to school nutrition professionals. From culinary skills to program compliance, these resources are goldmines for growth. • Create a Training Calendar: Consistency is key. Develop an annual training schedule that aligns with USDA’s professional standards. Include sessions on food safety, Offer Versus Serve (OVS), and customer service to keep your team sharp and compliant. • Incorporate Hands-On Learning : Host in-house culinary workshops where staff can practice new recipes or techniques. This not only boosts skills but also fosters team camaraderie. • Encourage Certification: Support your team in pursuing certifications like the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS). It’s a win-win—staff gain confidence, and your program gains credibility. • Celebrate Success: Recognize staff achievements, whether it’s mastering a new skill or hitting participation goals. A little appreciation goes a long way in boosting morale and retention. Investing in your team’s development isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s about creating a culture of excellence that ensures every child receives the best possible meal, every single day. Let’s keep raising the bar!
LEARN MORE
I have AskJen all set up, she and I had a wonderful conversation about ServSafe training yesterday and today we'll be working on product formulation. She's a lunch hero too!" Judi Reynolds Director of Child Nutrition Services Fallbrook Union High School District
I've used AskJen pretty much every day, multiple times a day since getting it Wednesday last week. This is a great program/ resource. Just wanted to let you know how helpful it's been."
Kelsey Gartner MLD, RD, LDN Director of Food & Nutrition Services Perkiomen Valley School District
Cool School Prime Member? You get AskJen free for a year—no extra cost, no catch.
Cool School Members: Redeem your points for AskJen at a preferred rate.
Click here to learn more or redeem points!
IGNITE RECAP 2025 | 23
GOODBYE IGNITE SAN ANTONIO 2025
NORTH CAROLINA IN 2026 CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN
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