Next Up Podcast

Pork's Potential in School Meals

Most districts that serve pork treat it as a limited-time offer or a once-a-month special. LaChell Miller, MS, RDN, CC, the Senior Manager National Nutrition Programs at

Moo-Ving Dairy to your Menus

Whole milk is back in school meals, and new added sugar and sodium limits may arrive in 2027-28.Built for school nutrition directors, menu planners and foodservice teams.

The Social Hour | The Behind NxtGen Network's Social Media Success

AI won't replace you. The person who uses it will.In this special edition of the Next Up Podcast, Marlon sits down with NxtGen Network Social Media Managers Rachel and Ka

The Miami-Dade Difference

DRAFTWhat happens when a Food & Nutrition Officer spends 25 years inside one of the largest school districts in America — and refuses to settle for "good enough"? You get

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 l

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 platfo

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 in

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 missio

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 conversa

Inside Eagle Mountain Saginaw’s Nutrition Mission

In this episode of Next Up, we’re joined by Darlene Lopez and Megan Martinson from Eagle Mountain–Saginaw ISD for a powerful look at how food, culture, and education inte

Garland ISD’s Culinary Revolution

In this episode of Next Up, the team from Garland ISD—Craig Hempel, Jennifer Miller, and Chef Kevin Jenkins—breaksdown how they transformed one of Texas’s largest distric

How One Choice Changed a District

In this episode of Next Up, we sit down with Shannon Almand- the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Quitman ISD whose journey into child nutrition proves how powerf

Fueling Healthy Futures

This conversation explores the vital work of Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health programming in schools across the United Stat

Astronauts, Chefs, & Dietitians: Building Better Meals Together

***A little bit of technical difficulties couldn't stop us from a great conversation and tons of laughs. Make sure you stick around for the bloopers!***We’re kicking off

A Seat At The Table: Creating Spaces Students Love

How can school cafeterias spark innovation, build community, and change the way students see nutrition? In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, we're live at Ignite 2025

Real Talk, Real People: Meet the Masters

Welcome to the debut of the Next Up Podcast Live at the NxtGen Masterclass—where creativity, purpose, and school nutrition collide. Marlon is joined by a panel of powerho

NxtGen Masterclass: Celebrating Innovation in School Nutrition

How can we make school lunch cool again? What strategies actually boost student participation in school meal programs? In this episode sponsored by Multiteria, school nut

Beyond The Cafeteria: E S Foods' Mission to Nourish and Inspire

In this episode, Tom Ferris shares his journey from a soccer-loving youth to a successful career in the food service industry. He discusses his early experiences in hospi

Innovating School Nutrition: The Trailblazer Awards

In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, produced by NxtGen Network, host Marlon Gordon welcomes guests Jenna Kaczmarski and Shani Hall to discuss the importance of innova

Zee Zees | Making Healthy Food Fun & The Fight to End School Meal Debt

Join Marlon as he chats with Tara Sharpe and Kristine Buyers at the Zee Zees HQ in Michigan. The trio discusses Zee Zees' innovative approach to school nutrition that com