Feeding the Future: Building Financially Sustainable Nutrition Programs Amid Rising Costs
Heather JK Snead
Franklin County Public Schools
Coordinator of School Nutrtion
Heather Snead has dedicated 27 years to the field of school nutrition, serving the majority of her career with Franklin County Public Schools after spending her first eight years with Roanoke City Schools. Throughout her career, Heather has been committed to ensuring students have access to nutritious, high-quality meals that support their health, learning, and success. She is passionate about strengthening school nutrition programs, supporting staff through training, and incorporating fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.
Outside of her professional life, Heather’s greatest joy is her family. She and her husband recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary and are proud parents of three sons. Their oldest is currently training to earn his journeyman certification in the electrical field, while their twin sons are preparing to graduate from high school this year. At home, Heather also stays busy with two energetic dogs—a miniature schnauzer and a chocolate lab—who definitely keep her on her toes.
When she has free time, Heather enjoys knitting, a hobby that allows her to relax and get creative. Heather values family, community, and the opportunity to make a positive impact through her work in school nutrition."
Heather JK Snead
Franklin County Public Schools
Coordinator of School Nutrtion
Heather Snead has dedicated 27 years to the field of school nutrition, serving the majority of her career with Franklin County Public Schools after spending her first eight years with Roanoke City Schools. Throughout her career, Heather has been committed to ensuring students have access to nutritious, high-quality meals that support their health, learning, and success. She is passionate about strengthening school nutrition programs, supporting staff through training, and incorporating fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.
Outside of her professional life, Heather’s greatest joy is her family. She and her husband recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary and are proud parents of three sons. Their oldest is currently training to earn his journeyman certification in the electrical field, while their twin sons are preparing to graduate from high school this year. At home, Heather also stays busy with two energetic dogs—a miniature schnauzer and a chocolate lab—who definitely keep her on her toes.
When she has free time, Heather enjoys knitting, a hobby that allows her to relax and get creative. Heather values family, community, and the opportunity to make a positive impact through her work in school nutrition."
Five Star Teamwork
Marcellus Snipes
Williamsburg-James City County Schools
Senior Director of Operations
Marcellus Snipes is the Senior Director for Operations for Williamsburg James City County Public Schools and entrepreneur who helps Support Service leadership understand and get the most out of their teams. Marcellus has provided extensive leadership training to WJCC, surrounding school divisions, and SNA workshops. Marcellus has been an entrepreneur in the service industry for 30 years, values those that serve in that industry and truly believes that “Service is the lifeblood of any organization. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it.
Marcellus Snipes
Williamsburg-James City County Schools
Senior Director of Operations
Marcellus Snipes is the Senior Director for Operations for Williamsburg James City County Public Schools and entrepreneur who helps Support Service leadership understand and get the most out of their teams. Marcellus has provided extensive leadership training to WJCC, surrounding school divisions, and SNA workshops. Marcellus has been an entrepreneur in the service industry for 30 years, values those that serve in that industry and truly believes that “Service is the lifeblood of any organization. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it.
Teaming Up to End Childhood Hunger
Sarah Steely
No Kid Hungry Campaign
Virginia Director
Sarah Steely is the Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia, where she leads campaign planning, implementation, and evaluation. She guides No Kid Hungry Virginia’s
government relations and grant-making portfolios, executing comprehensive public policy strategies and connecting Virginia partners with more than $10 million in grant
funding over the last nine years. She collaborates closely with a diverse portfolio of stakeholders, including elected officials, state agencies, education leaders, school
nutrition professionals, and food security advocates, to ensure that all kids and families have the resources they need to thrive.
Sarah is passionate about supporting people and the planet by implementing creative programs that achieve regulatory compliance while driving meaningful change. She
previously served as an analyst for Marstel-Day, where she provided sustainability and stakeholder engagement services to clients across the country. She holds degrees from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia and lives in Charlottesville with her 50 houseplants and rescue pup, Penny.
Sarah Steely
No Kid Hungry Campaign
Virginia Director
Sarah Steely is the Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia, where she leads campaign planning, implementation, and evaluation. She guides No Kid Hungry Virginia’s
government relations and grant-making portfolios, executing comprehensive public policy strategies and connecting Virginia partners with more than $10 million in grant
funding over the last nine years. She collaborates closely with a diverse portfolio of stakeholders, including elected officials, state agencies, education leaders, school
nutrition professionals, and food security advocates, to ensure that all kids and families have the resources they need to thrive.
Sarah is passionate about supporting people and the planet by implementing creative programs that achieve regulatory compliance while driving meaningful change. She
previously served as an analyst for Marstel-Day, where she provided sustainability and stakeholder engagement services to clients across the country. She holds degrees from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia and lives in Charlottesville with her 50 houseplants and rescue pup, Penny.
Procurement in Action: Mock Bid Workshop
Sarah Taylor, MPH, RDN
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Policy and Research Specialist
Sarah Taylor serves as the Policy and Research Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. In this role, she analyzes federal and state regulations to ensure compliance, leads statewide initiatives to expand program capacity, and provides operational support to advance Virginia's child nutrition programs.
Sarah brings experience with child nutrition programs, community health research, and nutrition policy. Her work centers on advancing equitable, evidence-based approaches to strengthen childhood food access and health. With a systems-level perspective, she is committed to the development of practical solutions to ensuring Virginia's children have access to nutritious, student-inspired meals. She is a Registered Dietitian and holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Sarah Taylor, MPH, RDN
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Policy and Research Specialist
Sarah Taylor serves as the Policy and Research Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. In this role, she analyzes federal and state regulations to ensure compliance, leads statewide initiatives to expand program capacity, and provides operational support to advance Virginia's child nutrition programs.
Sarah brings experience with child nutrition programs, community health research, and nutrition policy. Her work centers on advancing equitable, evidence-based approaches to strengthen childhood food access and health. With a systems-level perspective, she is committed to the development of practical solutions to ensuring Virginia's children have access to nutritious, student-inspired meals. She is a Registered Dietitian and holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Procurement in Action: Mock Bid Workshop
Bee Thorp
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Lead Farm to School Specialist
Bee Thorp serves as the Lead Farm to School Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. In this role, she spearheads initiatives to advance scratch cooking, local food procurement, and student-driven meal programs across child nutrition settings. With the Virginia Farm to School program, Bee fosters partnerships with national, state, and local stakeholders to strengthen connections between Virginia farms, school cafeterias, classrooms, and outdoor learning environments.
Bee has over 15 years of experience with building resilient local food systems across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in the U.S. and abroad. She is deeply committed to advancing student learning while driving innovation and growth in Virginia's agricultural industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Studies from Chatham University.
Bee Thorp
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Lead Farm to School Specialist
Bee Thorp serves as the Lead Farm to School Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. In this role, she spearheads initiatives to advance scratch cooking, local food procurement, and student-driven meal programs across child nutrition settings. With the Virginia Farm to School program, Bee fosters partnerships with national, state, and local stakeholders to strengthen connections between Virginia farms, school cafeterias, classrooms, and outdoor learning environments.
Bee has over 15 years of experience with building resilient local food systems across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in the U.S. and abroad. She is deeply committed to advancing student learning while driving innovation and growth in Virginia's agricultural industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Studies from Chatham University.
Decoding Documentation: PFS, CN Labels, FBG, & Exhibit A
Jon Tirk
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Community Onboarding and Outreach Specialist
Jon Tirk
Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Community Onboarding and Outreach Specialist
It’s Your Moment to Grow: Farm to Tray with Indoor Hydroponics
Larry Wade, SNS
Chesapeake Public Schools
Director of School Nutrition Services
Larry Wade is a seasoned school nutrition professional with more than 42 years of experience supporting and leading comprehensive school meal programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Dietetics from Virginia State University and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University. Larry holds the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential and is widely recognized for his commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and student-centered nutrition services.
Larry currently serves as Director of School Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, where he has held progressive leadership roles since 1991. Actively engaged with the School Nutrition Association at both the state and national levels, he has served as President and Regional Director of SNA-VA, as well as on multiple national committees and working groups. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2023 General Mills Trayblazer Award and the 2025 SNA-VA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Larry Wade, SNS
Chesapeake Public Schools
Director of School Nutrition Services
Larry Wade is a seasoned school nutrition professional with more than 42 years of experience supporting and leading comprehensive school meal programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Dietetics from Virginia State University and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University. Larry holds the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential and is widely recognized for his commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and student-centered nutrition services.
Larry currently serves as Director of School Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, where he has held progressive leadership roles since 1991. Actively engaged with the School Nutrition Association at both the state and national levels, he has served as President and Regional Director of SNA-VA, as well as on multiple national committees and working groups. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2023 General Mills Trayblazer Award and the 2025 SNA-VA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pre-Conference Session: The Manager's Recipe: Serving Up Leadership
Ron Walters, MS, ED
Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services
Training and Support Specialist
Ron Walters is the Training and Support Specialist for Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services. With CCPS he plans, creates, organizes and facilitates professional development training for Food and Nutrition employees. He supports Field Supervisors and Human Resources in various aspects of operations.
Ron earned his B.S and M.S. in Education from City College of New York. Throughout his career, he has utilized his passion for training and ability to connect and engage in roles ranging from teacher, childcare administrator, sales management trainer, and restaurant training director.
Prior to coming to CCPS, he spent time at VDOE Office of School Nutrition Programs holding positions of Training Assistant, Child Nutrition Programs Regional Specialist, and Training Specialist. He is respected and valued by his peers for fostering engaging and positive learning experiences, and his willingness to assist with, and collaborate on various projects.
Ron Walters, MS, ED
Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services
Training and Support Specialist
Ron Walters is the Training and Support Specialist for Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services. With CCPS he plans, creates, organizes and facilitates professional development training for Food and Nutrition employees. He supports Field Supervisors and Human Resources in various aspects of operations.
Ron earned his B.S and M.S. in Education from City College of New York. Throughout his career, he has utilized his passion for training and ability to connect and engage in roles ranging from teacher, childcare administrator, sales management trainer, and restaurant training director.
Prior to coming to CCPS, he spent time at VDOE Office of School Nutrition Programs holding positions of Training Assistant, Child Nutrition Programs Regional Specialist, and Training Specialist. He is respected and valued by his peers for fostering engaging and positive learning experiences, and his willingness to assist with, and collaborate on various projects.
Understanding Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing, Storage, and Usage
Henry Webb
Taylor Farms
School Foodservice Specialist
Henry Webb
Taylor Farms
School Foodservice Specialist
Something's Missing from your Menu: Food Allergy Management Plan
Tarrah Westercamp, MS, RDN, SNS
Westercamp Consulting LLC
Owner/CEO
Tarrah Westercamp is the Owner of Westercamp Consulting LLC providing exceptional service for school districts and other organizations working within Child Nutrition Programs at the state and local level. Tarrah is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience in Child Nutrition Programs encompassing USDA regulations, meal pattern requirements, school food service operations, obtaining stakeholder buy-in, and innovative implementation strategies to increase meal access to students. Tarrah holds a master’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Ball State University and School Nutrition Specialist credential from School Nutrition Association (SNA). Tarrah is passionate about school nutrition. In her free time, Tarrah enjoys spending time with her husband, John, traveling, cooking, and sipping hazelnut iced coffee. She is also a Pure Barre instructor.
Tarrah Westercamp, MS, RDN, SNS
Westercamp Consulting LLC
Owner/CEO
Tarrah Westercamp is the Owner of Westercamp Consulting LLC providing exceptional service for school districts and other organizations working within Child Nutrition Programs at the state and local level. Tarrah is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience in Child Nutrition Programs encompassing USDA regulations, meal pattern requirements, school food service operations, obtaining stakeholder buy-in, and innovative implementation strategies to increase meal access to students. Tarrah holds a master’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Ball State University and School Nutrition Specialist credential from School Nutrition Association (SNA). Tarrah is passionate about school nutrition. In her free time, Tarrah enjoys spending time with her husband, John, traveling, cooking, and sipping hazelnut iced coffee. She is also a Pure Barre instructor.
