Chris Burkhardt, SNS

Chris Burkhardt is the Executive Director of School Nutrition for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and has 26 years in the school nutrition field, as well as an additional eight in the food industry.

Chris has two Director of the Year awards, as well as a School Nutrition Foundation Heroes Award and a FAME (Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence) Award. He has served as the Public Policy Chair, Secretary Treasurer, Vice President, President-elect and President of the  School Nutrition Association of Ohio and completed a three-year term on the SNA National Public Policy and Legislation Committee. Along with five other School Nutrition professionals, Chris testified in both the House and Senate during Congressional Staff briefings related to Child Nutrition Programs.

His most meaningful accomplishment, however, is outreach to his community. As the President of Reach Out Lakota, which is a food pantry in West Chester, Ohio, he brought fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nutrition education and culinary techniques, to low-income families.

What Do You Bring to the Role: Background in innovation and fiscal responsibility while increasing participation

What You Do in Your Free Time: Cycling, running, hiking, kayaking, photographing and traveling the world