The School Food Rocks Podcast is Available On

In this podcast  Joe & Lauren talk with Dusty & Becki Swan from Swan Solutions about how technology companies are helping school districts around the country navigate & track professional standards training required by USDA. 

In this podcast Joe, Lauren & Amanda discuss her role in the Connections Cafe at Roper Mountain, our collaboration with the special needs department & her farming roots? 

 Elsa Neubauer and Lauren Couchois join Joe Urban in celebrating National RD Day on this episode of The School Food Rocks Podcast 

In this episode Jason, Joe, and Lauren discuss Farm to School Efforts, Chefs in Schools, Collaborations with Non-K12 chefs, and his work with the CIA 

In this episode Kern, Joe, and Lauren discuss the importance of outstanding customer service in school foodservice programs.

In this episode Blake, Joe, and Lauren discuss the Certified Angus Beef Brand and what sets this premium brand above all the others

Joe Urban joins Katie Pugh Smith on the Simple Civics: Greenville County Podcast to discuss the evolution of the Greenville County Schools Foodservice Program

In this episode Scott, Joe, and Lauren discuss ways a quality school foodservice program helps overall student achievement, and some insights into Clemson Tiger Football from the Host of The Tiger Pre-Game Show 

In this episode Traci, Joe, and Lauren discuss our unique partnership with the Special Education Department that is providing our students with the skills they need to be successful in the workplace when they leave our school system 

In this episode Rachael, Joe, and Lauren discuss the Rachael's journey into child nutrition, the role of chefs in schools, the value of best practice sharing with Districts, and improving the quality and perception of school meals.

COMING SOON 

In this episode Sal, Joe, and Lauren discuss the important work being done by Contract Management Companies in the K12 School Foodservice Industry, ways to improve perceptions of school foodservice, and upcoming legislative changes in our industry

 In this episode Rebecca, Joe, and Lauren  discuss the importance of high quality meals for school children, the role the State Agency plays in supporting school Districts, and dive deep into the agency's role in ensuring that school programs throughout the state are following the strict USDA guidelines that we must adhere to. 

In this episode Joe & Lauren talk with Conor Doyle from AmTab Manufacturing about the benefits of cafeteria makeovers and the impacts they have on the overall dining experience for students. 

In this episode Sharon & Joe discuss her journey into child nutrition, the role of chefs in schools, the impact she had as Director of her school foodservice program, improving the quality and perception of school meals, and her new role with ICN.

Culinary Specialist Lauren Couchois hosts this episode of the School Food Rocks Podcast and talks with Director Joe Urban as he travels beautiful Mexico City, Mexico in search of inspiration for our school menus. 

Lauren & Joe discuss Mexico City's amazing food culture, including one of kind markets, street food, and Mexican Chefs that are rooted in preserving the history of Mexico Cuisine and those that are reinventing traditional Mexican Cuisine. Joe also talks about the incredibly generous and kind people of Mexico that embrace him and his wife as they travel there multiple times each year. 

In this episode Dr. Royster & Joe discuss the importance of high quality school food for student achievement, how a successful school foodservice program positively impacts all other areas of the school District, and tips for other school foodservice Directors to better understand the needs of their school administration. 

In this episode Marlon & Joe discuss innovative ways to market and promote school foodservice programs  

In this episode Candace & Joe discuss the current challenges in the food distribution industry and potential upcoming USDA regulations, and strategies for school districts to navigate them in an effort to produce the highest quality school food for children nationally.  

In this episode Joe and Amanda discuss Amanda’s leadership journey in school foodservice, the roles she has played in our program leading staffs over the years, and her goals as she assumes the massive responsibility of her new position with our neighboring school district. 

 In this episode Chuck & Joe discuss the role School Board Members have in the budget process of school foodservice programs, the improvements he has observed in his many years working with school systems, feedback he receives from his constituents, and what the future of school foodservice looks like through his perspective 

In this episode Derek & Joe discuss Derek's role on The Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, a consortium of appointed citizens, legislators, and agency directors charged with the critical responsibility of identifying and studying key issues facing South Carolina's children, then promoting sound strategies for the development of children's policy. The Committee makes recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to use in consideration of policy, funding, and legislation to benefit our children's future.

In this episode Sally & Joe discuss the importance of high quality nutrition in school meals, the impact it has on student health, how LiveWell has helped our school program over the years, and tips for other school foodservice programs to utilize organizations like LiveWell as partners in school food reform

In this episode Ron & Joe discuss his journey into school food, how they worked together to transform Greenville into a nationwide leader in the K-12 School Foodservice industry, and his efforts to replicate that success in his current district. 

In this episode Stephen & Joe discuss how a good internal maintenance team contributes to the success of a school foodservice program, the value of strong partnerships & communication, and how an effective maintenance team can help programs purchase higher quality food by helping them save money on equipment repairs and replacements

In this episode Brian & Joe discuss the best practices for managing large K-12 school foodservice programs