Jamie Nipper

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-LAC 2026

Years in School Nutrition: 2 years

Students Served:  7,500

School Nutrition Association first-time attendee scholarship

“This position allows me to work with students in a meaningful way. Being able to provide them with nutritious meals so they can be successful in the classroom is the most rewarding part of my job.”

About Me

I was recently promoted to Director in my district, and I want to take every opportunity to continue improving myself so my department is set up for success. I have always valued professional development and believe it is important to keep learning. Any opportunity I have to better understand my role and help my team succeed is something I would like to take advantage of.

Bringing It Back to My District

One key takeaway from LAC was the power of individual voices coming together to create a collective impact. It reminded me that advocacy does not have to happen only at the national level—our voices at the local and state levels matter as well. This will benefit both me and my team because it encourages us to stay informed, speak up for our programs, and work together to support policies that benefit our students and school nutrition programs. When we work collectively and share our experiences, we can help create positive change that supports the success of our students.

The Impact of This Scholarship

SNF’s Conference Scholarship provided me with valuable professional growth through education, networking, and inspiration. It allowed me to connect with other school nutrition professionals, learn new ideas to bring back to my district, and strengthen my passion for ensuring students have access to nutritious meals.