Hey! I’m Kristen Nauss, a School Nutrition Director based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Let met tell you how I started Buying School Food.

I received a Master’s degree in Nutrition, with a focus in Public Health Nutrition and my Registered Dietitian credential in 2011. Studying the way that programs and policies influence the way that people eat has me specifically passionate about helping children build lifelong healthy habits.

I waited tables in college, and before that, I worked for a small business that did everything from concession stands at swim meets to catered fine dining. 

To be honest, food service was tough, and I really had no interest in staying in food service after graduating. It’s grueling hours and customers were, let’s just say, not always kind.

But then I found School Nutrition.

It combined everything I loved about public health and foodservice without the parts of food service I hated.

My first job after grad school was working for a 70-school district as their Registered Dietitian. I helped transition the program through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids changes, established protocols for handling special diets, and managed the nutrition education and promotion pieces of the program.

But here’s the thing about me. I always want to learn more and become an expert in whatever I do.

So three years later, my learning curve slowed down, and I began to get curious about the other aspects of School Nutrition. When a job opportunity presented itself at the State Agency, I jumped on it.

I worked with school districts all over the state, from tiny rural districts where the closest hotel was an hour drive, to massive districts with centralized kitchens.

I loved that job – getting to help schools solve problems, conducting training, developing resources… that’s my jam!

But that three-year itch set in, and I realized there’s so much about School Nutrition that is business-related that hardly anyone talks about.

So I signed up for another master’s program, this time in business.

One month into the program, my former boss, the School Nutrition Director for that 70-school district, called to say she’d be retiring at the end of the year. She wanted to know if I’d be interested in applying for the position.

I was torn, to be honest. My state agency job was amazing, but the travel was tough. Plus, this was an opportunity to get back on the ground level, making decisions every day that impact children.

I ultimately took the plunge and was fortunate to land the job. Those first few semesters were tough, juggling a new job and completing a master’s program. However,  I did graduate with my MBA in 2019.

I love the work I do. I am first to admit our program isn’t perfect, but we are always in pursuit of improving for our kiddos.

It’s also been obvious throughout my years in School Nutrition that the general public doesn’t really understand school food. What it is, why we do what we do, what our limitations are…

I want to change that.

I also miss the aspect of my state agency job where I got to connect with lots of school districts. Hearing about their challenges, swapping best practices, providing guidance.

And there are a lot of food options out there, so it can be difficult for districts to keep up with changing products.

That’s why I created Buying School Food.

It’s a chance to connect with school districts again, and I want to give the public an opportunity to hear more about school food.

I want to help schools, as well as parents, school staff, and community members, through the process of buying (good!) school food.

I also want to eat. Eat everything.

And not-so-coincidentally, it’s been about three years that I’ve been in my new Director’s role. Go figure.

So join me in my quest. Check out my food reviews and procurement articles, connect with me on my social accounts, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

I can’t wait to connect with you!