LORI ADKINS
Highland,MI
Summary
CHILD NUTRITION CONSULTANT CAREER PROFILE Professionally qualified child nutrition consultant, advocate and educator with more than thirty-six years of operations, consulting and administrative experience. Proven leadership skills and accomplished in all areas of child nutrition program administration. Aiming to leverage my skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully fill the position of Program Specialist for the Midwest Regional Office of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CHILD NUTRITION CONSULTANT
Oakland Intermediate School District
Waterford, Michigan
07.2010 - Current
- Provide oversight & technical assistance to twenty-eight local SFA’s (school food authorities) in Oakland County, MI
- Provide technical assistance and consultation for all areas of child nutrition program administration for NSLP, SBP, FFVP, SFSP Afterschool Snack & Supper Programs as well as CACFP
- Assist RA’s with FSMC’s (Food service management contracts) as well as on-site reviews, administrative review process and written recommendations for program improvement
- Plans, directs and delivers specialized training programs and curriculum development with MI Dept of Eduation for SNAM Professional Development program
- Develop and deliver presentations on critical and emerging Child Nutrition topics at regional, state and national conferences & meetings on a regular basis
- LEAD to Succeed Instructor for USDA Grant funded project with the School Nutrition Foundation
- Present CN updates regularly to Oakland County Superintendents, Oakland County Business Officials, Oakland County Food Service Directors and MOR Coop workshops and meetings
- Lead special projects for Oakland Schools Child Nutrition including the Oakland County “Better with Breakfast Initiative” and the “Elimination of Reduced-Price Meals Initiative” community partnerships
- Analyze project data & develop written report of findings
- Present recommendations to community stakeholders
- Co-administrator for the MOR Coop USDA Foods Cooperative in MI
- Conduct and lead coop meetings with Board of Directors, assist with procurement of USDA foods processing contracts and commercial bids
- Analyze entitlement data for truck buys & participate in contract negotiations with broadline distributors & manufacturers
- Provide leadership for the Oakland County food service referent group and coordinate monthly meetings
- Participate with community partnerships with the Oakland County Food Policy Council for improving food access and food security in Oakland County
- Compile, analyze and publish county participation and eligibility data annually for Oakland County
- Write and deliver information to various stakeholders for programs including MI School Meals Initiative and special projects
- Conduct and share survey data at the county level for meal pricing, employee wages & contract agreements and program implementation
- Participate with SFA’s on-site Administrative Review process and coordinate pre-review meetings
- Conduct annual on-site reviews for SFA’s, upon request, provide written report with corrective actions as required for meeting program regulations
- Communicate program findings and recommendations verbally & in writing to SFA’s.
NUTRITION SUPERVISOR
West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield, Michigan
12.1997 - 07.2012
- Directs and leads all district SN programs including NSLP, SBP, FFVP and SFSP
- Responsible for $1.8M budget, direct supervision of 36 employees serving 6,500 students
- Directs food service department in all aspects of State & Federal program compliance
- Directs & Plans on-site reviews, Internal & external audits including the administrative review process
- Strong organizational & leadership skills with the capacity for managing multiple priorities
- Prepare and deliver written reports to the board of education with annual program updates.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
01.2009 - 04.2010
- Taught senior level capstone class/ HR 498 Utilized online learning platforms to facilitate remote teaching.
FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
Royal Oak School District, Canteen Corp
Royal Oak, Michigan
10.1993 - 12.1997
- Directs and leads all district SN programs including NSLP & SBP
- Responsible for $2.5 M budget, direct supervision of 50 employees serving 8,500 students
- Directs the food service department in all aspects of State & Federal program compliance
- Directs & Plans on-site reviews, Internal & external audits including the administrative review process
- Strong organizational & leadership skills with the capacity for managing multiple priorities
- Prepare and deliver written reports to the board of education with annual program updates.
FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
South Redford School District, Canteen Corp
Redford, Michigan
08.1987 - 10.1993
- Directs and leads all district SN programs including NSLP, SBP Responsible for $500K budget, direct supervision of 25 employees serving 3,500 students
- Directs the food service department in all aspects of State & Federal program compliance
- Strong organizational & leadership skills with the capacity for managing multiple priorities.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT -
Eastern Michigan University
06.2009
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FOOD SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT -
Eastern Michigan University
12.1987
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN DIETETIC TECHNOLOGY -
Wayne County Community College
06.1984
Skills
- Leadership
- Public Speaking & Communication
- Written communication skills
- Technical Skills
- Regulation & Cost Analysis
Certification
- Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)
- School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)
- Serv Safe Instructor & Registered Proctor
- Michigan School Business Officials (CND)
Association Memberships
- School Nutrition Association
- School Nutrition Association of Michigan
- American Commodity Distributers Association
- International Fresh Produce Association
Community Partnerships
- Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) Team
- Oakland County Food Policy Council
- Oakland County DEIA Working Group
- MSBO Leadership Institute Cohort
- Leadership Oakland LOXXVVIII
Awards
- 2023 NAFEM Doctorate of Food Service Award
- 2021 MSBO Distinguished Service Award
- 2014 SNAM Presidents Award
- 2010 FAME Silver Special Achievement Award
- 2004 Thelma Flanigan Gold Award
Volunteer Experience
- President, School Nutrition Association, 07/2022, 07/2023, Responsible for and carried out the governance of the SNA Board of Directors and all strategic initiatives including the 2019-2023 SNA Strategic Plan, DEIA initiatives, professional development, advocacy, and public relations. Led meetings on behalf of SNA with Secretary Vilsack in February and June 2023. Facilitated a round table meeting and an off-site school kitchen visit in Oakland County with leadership from the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO) and Deputy Undersecretary Stacey Dean in March 2023. Led several meetings with additional top USDA officials on 2023 proposed Nutrition Standards.
- USDA Foods Taskforce, 12/2020, 03/2021, Lead work groups to identify critical challenges and potential opportunities for utilization of USDA Foods entitlement in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as share solutions & recommendations to USDA and Congress for consideration and action. The taskforce work resulted in a GAO review, analysis and recommendations for the USDA Foods in Schools program.
- DEIA Leadership, SY 2022-2023, Leader of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access committee for SY 2022-2023. Lead a diverse working group of regional representatives from across the country towards understanding and implementation of DEIA strategies towards and more diverse equitable inclusive and accessible organization. DEIA is interwoven into all aspects of SNA’s strategic plan. Led general session on DEIA at the National Leadership Conference in April of 2019. Develop and conduct a 1-hour DEIA professional development session for School Nutrition Association of Michigan Leadership Academy. Present DEIA session at various county & state workshops.
- PPL Committee Member for Public Policy and Legislative group, SY 2020-2023
- SNA Board of Directors - At Large Director, Chair, Leadership Development Committee 2016 - 2019 and SY 2020-2023.
- President, School Nutrition Association of Michigan
- Chair, Industry Committee, 2004, 2006
- Chair, Legislative Committee, 2009, 2011
- Statewide Training Taskforce, 2000
Timeline
CHILD NUTRITION CONSULTANT
Oakland Intermediate School District
07.2010 - Current
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Eastern Michigan University
01.2009 - 04.2010
NUTRITION SUPERVISOR
West Bloomfield School District
12.1997 - 07.2012
FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
Royal Oak School District, Canteen Corp
10.1993 - 12.1997
FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
South Redford School District, Canteen Corp
08.1987 - 10.1993
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT -
Eastern Michigan University
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FOOD SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT -
Eastern Michigan University
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN DIETETIC TECHNOLOGY -
Wayne County Community College
- Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)
- School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)
- Serv Safe Instructor & Registered Proctor
- Michigan School Business Officials (CND)
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