Fall 2024 Healthy
Meals Summit Highlights
Fall 2024 Healthy Meals Summit Showcases Innovation in School Nutrition
USDA and Action for Healthy Kids welcomed nearly 800 attendees to celebrate exceptional achievements and inspire innovation in school meal programs nationwide.
Hundreds of school nutrition professionals, USDA experts, and leaders from Action for Healthy Kids, Chef Ann Foundation, and RMC Health came together on October 21-23, 2024, at the Fall 2024 Healthy Meals Summit in Las Vegas, NV. The Summit spotlighted HMI Recognition Awardees, honoring their accomplishments and offering insights to support other districts in elevating their nutrition programs.
Notable activities included a Recognition Awardee Red Carpet, engaging keynote sessions from Chef Curtis Aikens and Dr. Deonna Smith, inspiring words from Chef Ann Cooper, and a lively student school meal cooking challenge. Through hands-on workshops and interactive stations, attendees explored strategies such as farm-to-school programming, nutrition education, taste tests, salad bars, and activities designed to boost student engagement in school meal initiatives.
Here’s What School Nutrition Professionals Said About the Healthy Meals Summit
“WHAT AN EVENT! The breakout sessions I attended were all wonderful and NEW! The networking – awesome! Such a great three days!”
“I learned something new from each and every presenter, speaker and breakout session I attended. I found something to learn and bring back to our district each and every time.”
“The ENERGY was just different here. There was a sense of pride and unity that I don’t normally feel from conferences.”
“One of the best conferences I’ve ever attended. You provided so many tools that we can take back to our team and our programs.”
“It was so exciting and informative connecting with all the wonderful attendees and professionals. I made great connections and came back invigorated and ready to elevate my program.”
Attend the Fall 2025 Healthy Meals Summit
Join hundreds of school nutrition professionals at an exclusive, national Healthy Meals Summit this fall in Las Vegas. You can earn complimentary registration and travel stipends for two staff members to attend when you receive a Healthy Meals Incentive Recognition Award.
Apply by June 30, 2025, to be eligible to attend the Fall 2025 Healthy Meals Summit!
Check Out the Highlights from Our Fall 2024 Healthy Meals Summit
“The Fall 2024 Healthy Meals Summit was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate school nutrition professionals that have embraced opportunities to take their school meals to the next level,” said Rob Bisceglie, executive officer and president, Action for Healthy Kids. “We’re excited to see these schools share their incredible success stories and inspire change.”
“This is USDA’s largest investment ever to bring together school districts, states, school nutrition leaders, and other partners to learn from and support each other as they develop creative and practical approaches to making school meals even more nutritious and appealing, and meet USDA’s updated school nutrition standards,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Cindy Long.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.