Pre-Conference Session

Saturday, March 7, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Serving Students When the Lights Go Out: Disaster Preparedness & Response

Speaker(s): Lauren Couchois (School District of Lee County), Kirk Farquharson (USDA FNS SERO), Kim Frinzel (California Department of Education), Lakeisha Hood (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), Steve Hortin (USDA FNS), Chris Kamradt (Spring Branch ISD), Angela Kline (USDA FNS), Eddie Longoria (USDA FNS SWRO), Kathy Staley (USDA FNS), and Lena Wilson (Texas Department of Agriculture)

Emergencies such as hurricanes, tornados, fires and floods, can be devastating to our communities and require rigorous preparations and a quick response. With the recent uptick in natural disasters, impacted families look to their schools as first responders to fulfill their most immediate needs—food and shelter. Long before the wreckage is cleared and often among power outages and closed or destroyed grocery stores, school nutrition professionals are tasked with opening their cafeterias and operating an organized program. These events have far-reaching, immediate, and long-term impacts on a school nutrition program.

In this interactive session, USDA will provide detailed guidance for preparing and implementing a natural disaster plan. You will also hear about year-round preparation efforts and direct solutions from school nutrition directors and state agency officials who have experienced first-hand the effects of record-breaking climate events. Discover how you can shore up your program and overcome the unexpected to be a shelter in the storm for your community.

Fee: $120