Pre-Conference Planning Avi will take part in at least one planning session with VDOE-SCNP staff…

The Spark Mill has been awarded a contract by the Virginia Department of Education for keynote speaking services at the Virginia School Nutrition Conference Program. The contract, issued on September 8, 2026, carries a cumulative value of $2,500.00. Performance will occur in Richmond, Virginia, with the primary deliverable being a 60-minute closing keynote address scheduled for September 23, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The presentation will address school nutrition leadership challenges, including staffing shortages, budget pressures, and program expansion initiatives such as scratch cooking and local sourcing.

The contracted services include pre-conference planning coordination with Virginia Department of Education-School Curriculum and Nutrition Program staff, either in-person or via videoconference, to align the keynote with conference objectives and audience needs. The Spark Mill must provide audio-visual requirements and a completed electronic presentation by September 11, 2026, remain available for pre-conference communications and coordination, and permit the Virginia Department of Education to photograph or record portions of the keynote for educational and promotional purposes. The contract compensation consists of a $2,000.00 speaker fee and $500.00 in incidental expenses. All presentation materials must be provided to the contracting organization for post-conference use.