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June 27-30, 2026 • Grapevine, Texas
Conference Schedule
TASN 2026 Annual Conference
Use this schedule to plan your conference experience. Learning sessions are organized by time block so you can easily choose the session that best fits your role, interests, and district needs. Schedule is subject to change.
How to use this schedule
Review the day’s at-a-glance schedule first, then choose one learning session during each time block. Each session card includes the session title, room, and presenter information. Saturday, June 27
Arrival & Early Conference Check-In
Stop by registration to check in, pick up your conference materials, and get ready for the days ahead. 1:00 p.m.
– 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration Open
Location: Texas Prefunction A-C
Sunday, June 28
Opening Day
Sunday includes registration, the Annual Meeting and lunch, the first general session, group photos, and afternoon learning sessions. Sunday at a Glance
A quick overview of Sunday’s main schedule. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Texas Ballroom Prefunction 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Annual Meeting & Lunch
Texas A-D 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
General Session: Michael IIvanov
Texas A-D 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Group Photos & Learning Sessions
Group Photos: Austin 5-6 Sunday Learning Sessions
Choose one session during each time block. 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Procurement Pitfalls: Lessons You Can’t Ignore
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Sarah Carlson, Texas Department of Agriculture Seal the Value: Vacuum Technology
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenters: Billy Dickie, Nakita Johnson, Belkis Lane, and Michael Pauwels, Dickie Enterprises, LLC The Tray and What We Say
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenters: Dawnetta Miller, Rich Chicks, LLC; and Michael Rosenberger, Lone Star K12 Catering to the Community
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Acenette Gonzalez, Princeton ISD 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. • Break
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thresholds & Tactics: School Nutrition Purchasing in 2026
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Stephanie Robinson, Texas Department of Agriculture Critical Thinking: How to Make Decisions that Aren’t Terrible
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenters: Ralph Wilkins and Katherine Yarbrough, La Porte ISD Emotional Intelligence: Your Secret Sauce
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Julie Alexander, Stir Up Success Flexible Serving Beyond the Cafeteria
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenters: Katy Hoyng and Mike Borges, LINQ Exploring Southern Cuisine
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenters: Barbara Vasser-Baldwin and Kevin Jenkins, Sheldon ISD 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. • Break / Country Store Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Reporting Non-Monetary Values of USDA Foods for Audits
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Paige Applegate, Texas Department of Agriculture Meal Appeal = Increased Participation
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenter: Shannon Almand, Quitman ISD Marketing Beyond the Lunch Line
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Yvette Quantz, Affy Health Innovative Farm to School Practices with Food Allergy Management
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Tarrah Westercamp, Westercamp Consulting LLC Chef Panel: The K-12 Chef Experience
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Kevin Jenkins, Garland ISD 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. • Break
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fresh Trays: School Local Procurement Training
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Jacob Korir, Texas Department of Agriculture Como Identificar Comidas Reembolsables / How to Identify Reimbursable Meals
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenter: Georgia Georgacopulos Lopez and Maria Alvarado, YES Prep Public Schools Designing Efficient K-12 Foodservice Kitchens
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Lance Brooks, Foodservice Design Professionals Empowering Equipment Decisions
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Rachael Sassarini, The Delfield Company Texas Chef Meet Up (Chef’s Only)
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Kevin Jenkins, Garland ISD Monday, June 29
Awards, Exhibits, Learning & Evening Events
Monday includes the Installation and Awards Ceremony, a general session, exhibit hall time, learning sessions, lunch on your own, and the Industry Dinner and Evening Event. Monday at a Glance
A quick overview of Monday’s major conference activities. 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Registration
Texas Prefunction 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Installation & Awards Ceremony
Texas A-D 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
General Session: Lena Wilson
Texas A-D 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Coffee Service in the Lounge
Longhorn D-F 10:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Exhibits: Decision Makers Only
Longhorn D-F 10:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Learning Sessions
San Antonio 1-3, San Antonio 4-6, Texas 1-2, Texas 3-4, Texas 5-6 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch on Own
Enjoy lunch before afternoon sessions continue. 2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open to All
Longhorn D-F 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Industry Dinner and Evening Event
Texas A-D Monday Learning Sessions
Choose one session during each time block. 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Enhancing Meal Appeal: Strategies for Presentation and Marketing to Boost Participation
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenters: Beverly Shaw and Tanya Davis, Texas Department of Agriculture Pautas Dietéticas / Dietary Guidelines
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenter: Axel Martinez, Aldine ISD Emotional Intelligence: Your Secret Sauce (Repeat)
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Julie Alexander, Stir Up Success What Parents Think About Your Program is Probably Wrong — How to Change That
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Yvette Quantz, Affy Health Building a TASN Chapter
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Suellen Atteberry, Garland ISD 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. • Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ready, Set, Review! Navigating TDA’s Kitchen Administrative Review
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Sarah Carlson, Texas Department of Agriculture Enciende la Luz en Tu Cocina / Ignite the Light in Your Kitchen
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenters: Claudia Delvalle and Claudia Flomenco, Klein ISD More Than a Meal: The Culinary Professionals of Your ISD
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Ahna Delgado, Millsap ISD Let Your Light Shine: Self-Development
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Jennie L. LaCour, J.L. LaCour Agency, LLC / Sheldon ISD Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenters: John Puder and Betty Teston, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. • Lunch on Own
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Area Reps Meet-Up
Texas Prefunction 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Exhibitor Break / Refresh
Longhorn D-F 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Cash in on Success: Mastering the School Cafeteria Register
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenters: Wanda Armstrong and Daemon Eaton, Texas Department of Agriculture Trabajando en Equipo / Working as a Team
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenters: Maria Sanchez Garcia and Norema Piña, Aldine ISD Back to Scratch Cooking
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Jennifer Parham, Mansfield ISD From Universal Meals to Ultra-Processed Foods
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Ryan Cengel, Manor ISD Stronger Managers, Stronger Programs
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Courtney Boullion, Hardin-Jefferson ISD 2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Mastering Food Product Labeling & Kitchen Efficiency
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenter: Andrea Lembcke, Texas Department of Agriculture ¡Usted Hace Que Sea Posible! / You Make It Possible!
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenter: Rosalynn Ordonez, Aldine ISD Cafeteria Culture: Starting in the Kitchen
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Samantha Mims, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Let Your Light Shine: Self-Development (Repeat)
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Jennie L. LaCour, J.L. LaCour Agency, LLC / Sheldon ISD Leadership & Self-Awareness
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenter: Michael Vasquez, Cibus Brokerage 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. • Break
3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Enhancing Meal Appeal: Strategies for Presentation and Marketing to Boost Participation (Repeat)
Room: San Antonio 1-3
Presenters: Beverly Shaw and Tanya Davis, Texas Department of Agriculture Comunicaciones Exitosas / Successful Communications
Room: San Antonio 4-6
Presenter: Diana Castellanos, Aldine ISD Unlocking Your Potential: A Journey of Self-Development
Room: Texas 1-2
Presenter: Teri Tregoning, Houston ISD What Are They Thinking?!? Unique Perspectives from a Former Campus Principal
Room: Texas 3-4
Presenter: Sondra Thomas, Mansfield ISD A Director’s Guide to Equipment Procurement
Room: Texas 5-6
Presenters: Jacob Vasquez, Elizabeth Barron, and Francisco Herrera, Mission Restaurant Supply Monday Evening
Industry Dinner and Evening Event
Wear neon and ignite the night!
The Industry Dinner and Evening Event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is included with your conference registration. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., with music and entertainment to follow at 8:00 p.m. Badges and wristbands are required.
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. • Industry Dinner and Evening Event • Texas A-D
Tuesday, June 30
Board Schedule
Tuesday includes the Executive Session, Board Training, and the first 2026-2027 Board Meeting. Tuesday at a Glance
A quick overview of Tuesday’s board schedule. 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Executive Session
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Board Training and First 2026-2027 Board Meeting
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