School nutrition leaders continue to face rising costs, unpaid meal debt, and reimbursement rates that rarely match program realities. This session explores strategies districts can use to strengthen financial sustainability without compromising food quality or access. Speakers will share best practices for forecasting, menu planning, managing unpaid meal balances, and advocating effectively for improved funding and policy support. Participants will leave with practical tools to protect program budgets, communicate value to administrators, and build resilience against future fiscal pressures.