MKThink Salon: Reimagining School Meals

This event will bring together School Food Service Directors, nutrition leaders, community partners, and parents to share insights, challenges, and strategies. The aim is to foster a collaborative environment where leaders like you can exchange ideas and shape the future of school meals.

We'll dive into how districts can modernize kitchens, strengthen farm-to-school pipelines, and elevate the dignity of eating, without breaking budgets or burning out staff?

Join leaders from SFUSD, the Alice Waters Institute, and MKThink for a candid, solutions-oriented discussion on the infrastructure, partnerships, and logistics that make equitable school meals work at scale.

When & Where

• Date/Time: Wednesday, October 22, 5:00–7:00 PM (PT)
• Venue: Ocean Plant, 800 Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94121

Format: Panel discussion + audience Q&A

Panelists

• Jennifer LeBarre, Interim Sr. Executive Director (Student Nutrition Services & Transportation), SFUSD
• Jennifer Sherman, Culinary Director, Alice Waters Institute
• Nate Goore, CEO & Founder, MKThink

We’ll explore:

• Infrastructure for equity: How facilities and layout shape dignity, access, and participation.
• From farms to forks: Building reliable supply chains that connect local producers to students.
• Production & logistics: Choosing cook-serve vs. cook-chill, routing meals to receiving kitchens, and keeping quality high.
• Data & dollars: Tracking participation, cost/meal, and waste, and funding what works.
• Change that sticks: Training, community engagement, and menu design students actually love.

Who should attend

District food service leaders, facilities/planning teams, superintendents, school board members, community partners, and anyone driving healthier, more resilient school food systems.

What you’ll take away

• Practical playbooks from districts tackling similar challenges
• Examples of scalable farm-to-school integrations
• KPIs and tools to align equity, resilience, and efficiency
• Contacts and next steps you can apply immediately

Space is limited, reserve your spot to join the conversation and help reimagine school meals in your community.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ocean Plant, Great Highway, San Francisco, CA, USA, United States