Fresh From The Vine | Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes K-12

Fresh From The Vine | Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes K-12

Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes, this special live episode of the Next Up Podcast was filmed at the NxtGen Masterclass in Orlando, FL, bringing together school nutrition leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals to talk about the future of K-12 foodservice.From branding and marketing to product innovation and student engagement, the conversation dives into new ideas helping school meal programs grow and better connect with their communities.Thank you to Red Gold for continuing to support K-12 nutrition programs with high-quality, versatile tomato products that help operators create flavorful, reliable meals students love.===========================Connect with us! ===========================IG: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/IG: https://www.instagram.com/nextuptalkshow/IG: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/FB: https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetwork365Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtGen_NetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nxtgen.networkCapabilities Deck: https://nxtgennetwork.serveddigizine.com/NxtGen-Capabilitiy-Deck/===========================Connect with our guests! ===========================IG: https://www.instagram.com/redgoldtomatoes/FB: Red Gold K-12 FB | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578177140268FB: https://www.facebook.com/RedGoldTomatoes/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/red-goldTwitter: https://twitter.com/RedGoldTomatoesWeb: https://www.redgoldtomatoes.com/redgoldfoodservice/segment/k-12/========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:📱 ========================================➡︎ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@nxtgennetwork/podcasts➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-podcast/id1598968019➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ex3Oj7aodeUe48EJGy9Dz⏰ Timecodes ⏰00:00 Inspiration Behind the Podcast03:03 Community Pride and School Culture06:01 Innovative School Meal Solutions09:05 Product Development and Nutritional Standards12:10 Branding in K-12 Nutrition15:06 Future Initiatives and Exciting Projects18:01 Takeaways from the Master Class

Menu Drives Your Business: Inside Health-e Pro's Mission to Save Menu Planners Time

What happens when a retired school nutrition director decides to build the software she always wished she had? You get Health-e Pro — a USDA-approved menu planning platform with over 5,000 recipes, 20,000 products, and a team of dietitians and food service professionals building technology from the inside out.In this episode, Marlon Gordon sits down with Kadon Simmons (Head of Growth) and Kim Coleman (Head of Product) at Health-e Pro to break down how their founder Meg Chesley turned a consulting side hustle into a 30-person company that school districts refuse to leave. They dive into how menu planning drives the entire school nutrition business, why their software is designed for you to spend LESS time in it, how AI is about to change compliance and recipe suggestions, the role manufacturers and commodities play in K-12 food service, and why the best people in this industry are lifers.Whether you're a food service director, a menu planner, a school nutrition professional, or a manufacturer trying to better serve K-12, this conversation is packed with insights on technology, innovation, scratch cooking, USDA compliance, and the future of feeding kids.===========================Connect with our guests! ===========================Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healtheproInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthe_pro/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/15218019X: https://twitter.com/healthe_proYouTube:  @healthepro  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCK-Z8Q94y1S86MeVGo6N5Nw] ===========================Connect with us! ===========================Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/ https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetworkAgencyLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/ ===========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================================➡︎ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@nxtgennetwork/podcasts➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-podcast/id1598968019➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ex3Oj7aodeUe48EJGy9Dz ⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️00:00 Passion Meets Purpose: The Journey Begins07:21 From Sports to School Nutrition: Kaden's Transition14:51 Kim's Path: A Lifelong Commitment to School Nutrition21:56 Healthy Pro's Origin Story: A Vision for Menu Planning28:50 Innovating School Nutrition: Technology and Equipment31:11 Changing Perceptions: The Future of School Meals32:29 Creating Engaging Recipe Experiences34:04 Streamlining Menu Planning with Technology36:23 Understanding the Business of School Nutrition38:43 Incorporating AI into Menu Planning42:09 The Future of Menu Planning Software44:12 Connecting the School Nutrition Community48:08 Innovative Practices in Small School Districts51:47 The Road Ahead for Healthy Pro54:34 Engaging with the School Nutrition Industry01:00:13 Maximizing Commodity Processing in Schools

Packing Bags and Paying Tabs

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Samantha Bourque from National Food Group and Zee Zees for a powerful conversation about food insecurity, corporate social responsibility, and how purpose-driven work can create real change in communities across the country.From Samantha’s journey through the Detroit Lions, ESPN, and Ford Motor Company to her current role leading community impact initiatives, the conversation explores how food can be a vehicle for education, equity, and connection. They dive into hunger relief efforts, partnerships with organizations like Blessings in a Backpack and Detroit Food Academy, sustainability and food waste reduction, and the many unexpected career paths that exist within the food industry beyond “just being a chef.”The episode also takes a deep look at school meal debt and National Food Group’s Grab The Tab initiative, which has helped pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid school lunch balances nationwide. Samantha shares why school meal debt continues to rise, how it affects students and schools in every type of community, and what individuals and organizations can do locally to help ensure kids have access to food beyond the school day.If you care about food insecurity, school meals, sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and making a meaningful impact through business, this episode is a must-watch.===========================Connect with our guests! ===========================Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeezeesfoods/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalFoodGroupFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeeZeesFoodsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zee-zees-foods/posts/?feedView=allLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-food-group/posts/?feedView=all===========================Connect with us! ===========================Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextuptalkshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/ https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetworkAgencyLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtGen_Network TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nxtgen.network ===========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================================➡︎ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@nxtgennetwork/podcasts➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-podcast/id1598968019➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ex3Oj7aodeUe48EJGy9Dz ⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️00:00 Introduction to Food Insecurity and Community Impact02:51 Samantha's Journey: From NFL to Food Advocacy05:58 The Role of Zee Zee's in Combating Food Insecurity08:50 Project Serve: Philanthropic Initiatives at Zee Zee's11:56 The Importance of Community Engagement and Education15:05 Collaborations with Nonprofits and Local Organizations17:46 Innovative Programs: Grab the Tab and Blessings in a Backpack20:53 The Challenge of School Meal Debt23:59 Future Plans and Growth for Zee Zee's27:08 Conclusion: The Path Forward in Food Advocacy

If it's About Us Don't Do it Without Us | GENYOUth

This conversation features members of the GENYOUth National Youth Council discussing the importance of student engagement in school meal programs. They explore the mission of GENYOUth, the stigmas surrounding school meals, and the need for improvements in meal options and cafeteria experiences. The students emphasize the significance of time and space during lunch, the impact of breakfast on performance, and the desire for more cultural diversity in food offerings. They also address misconceptions about school meals and the importance of inclusivity and feedback in shaping meal programs.===========================Connect with our Guests!===========================Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genyouthorg/wall/#Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genyouthnow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genyouthnow/Website: https://genyouthnow.org/===========================Connect with us! ===========================Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextuptalkshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/ https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetworkAgencyLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtGen_Network TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nxtgen.network ===========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================================➡︎ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@nxtgennetwork/podcasts➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-podcast/id1598968019➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ex3Oj7aodeUe48EJGy9Dz ⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️00:00 Introduction to Gen Youth and Its Mission03:04 The Role of Students in School Meal Programs06:11 Stigmas Surrounding School Meals08:59 Desires for School Meal Improvements11:54 The Importance of Time and Space in Cafeterias15:04 Breakfast and Its Impact on Student Performance18:00 Cafeteria Experience and Customization21:03 Future Visions for School Meal Programs23:59 Misconceptions About School Meals26:55 Engagement and Feedback from Students30:03 The Importance of Inclusivity in School Meals33:02 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Behind the Brand: Zee Zees

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Tara Sharpe, K-12 Segment Director for Zee Zees® (National Food Group), for an in-depth conversation about branding, innovation, and what it truly takes to succeed in school foodservice.From why K-12 is the “PhD of foodservice” to how strong branding directly increases student participation, Tara shares real-world examples of how fun, compliant, and student-approved products can transform the lunch line. They dive into innovation in a highly regulated space, allergen-friendly foods, grab-and-go success stories, scratch and speed-scratch cooking, and how listening to districts leads to game-changing solutions.The conversation also explores Zee Zees Grab the Tab initiative, which has helped pay off over $225,000 in school meal debt, the power of partnerships with School Nutrition Professionals, and what’s coming next for Zee Zees in 2026 — including new bulk products, commodity processing, and major conference plans.If you care about school meals, student participation, innovation, branding, and feeding kids well, this episode is a must-watch.===========================Connect with our Guests!===========================Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeeZeesFoods/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeezeesfoods/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zee-zees-foodsWebsite: https://zeezees.com/Website: http://www.zzgrabthetab.com===========================Connect with us! ===========================Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextuptalkshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetwork365 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtGen_Network TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nxtgen.network ===========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:📱 ===========================================➡︎ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@nxtgennetwork/podcasts➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-up-podcast/id1598968019➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ex3Oj7aodeUe48EJGy9Dz ⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️00:00 – Why branding matters in K-12 foodservice00:55 – Welcome to The Next Up Podcast + first episode in the new studio01:15 – Meet Tara Sharp, K-12 Segment Director at Zee Zees02:40 – Driving innovation and working directly with school districts03:30 – Why K-12 is the “PhD of foodservice”04:45 – Standing out through branding, swag, and student excitement05:45 – How branding influences what kids choose on the serving line06:40 – Creating products based on direct district requests08:10 – Why innovation is critical in an ever-changing regulatory landscape09:40 – Scratch cooking vs speed scratch & meeting districts where they are11:10 – Labor shortages and how products support understaffed kitchens12:20 – Allergen-friendly products and Zee Zees core brand values13:30 – Participation success story: 20% increase with grab-and-go yogurt14:40 – Favorite products, flavors, and student favorites18:40 – Zee Zees sales team and long-term relationships in K-1220:10 – Why School Nutrition Professionals are unmatched in dedication21:40 – Lessons from COVID and the power of school meal programs23:20 – Inside the Zee Zees office culture25:00 – Giving back: the story behind Grab the Tab26:45 – Paying off school meal debt and director reactions28:20 – What’s coming next for Zee Zees and ANC 2026 teaser29:15 – Universal free meals and the future of school nutrition30:30 – Conferences, advocacy, and industry leadership31:45 – Commodity processing explained32:50 – New Zee Zees bulk product line walkthrough34:40 – Creative menu applications and speed-scratch recipes36:10 – Why bulk options give districts more flexibility37:10 – How to connect with Zee Zees37:55 – Final thoughts and wrap-up