Jennifer Strickler

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-LAC 2026 

Years in School Nutrition: 31 years

Students Served: 9,000

School Nutrition Association returning attendee scholarship

“I am deeply committed to the belief that feeding all children for free is simply the right thing to do. Making our voices heard with legislators, year after year, is the only way we can make that vision a reality.”

Why School Nutrition?

The part I love about my job is knowing that we make a difference everyday in children’s lives.

Key Takeaways

The biggest takeaway was seeing how our collective voices can drive meaningful change for children’s access to nutritious meals. I plan to share these insights with my district team to strengthen our advocacy efforts locally and statewide.

The Impact of This Scholarship

Receiving a scholarship to attend LAC made a meaningful impact on me both personally and professionally. It allowed me to participate in an important conference I might not have been able to afford, giving me the opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired by colleagues across the country. Professionally, I gained insights and advocacy tools that I can bring back to my district to improve our programs and amplify our voice in support of children’s access to healthy meals. Personally, it reminded me of the value of being part of a community dedicated to making a difference.