Meals Plus Spotlight: Malissa Marsden, SNS

Malissa Marsden, SNS, is a consultant that collaborates with USDA Agriculture Marketing Boards (aka Commodity Boards) to connect USDA Foods with child nutrition professionals. She uses Meals Plus Nutritional Analysis and Menu Planning software to create recipes for school districts using USDA Foods. (Click here to read more about her latest recipes with IQF Diced Mushrooms!) 

The Dish: How long have you been using Meals Plus Menu Planning and Nutrient Analysis software?
Malissa Marsden, SNS: Just over one year, and still learning more about the system and its capabilities every day.

TD: What duties and responsibilities does your job entail?
MM: The short answer is “playing with food and feeding kids.” My clients are agricultural boards and branded manufacturers who want to promote their products to school nutrition. Many of their products currently are or will become USDA Foods that are available to school nutrition programs via direct delivery and/or diversion.

I educate myself on what K-12 schools need to better utilize the USDA foods and branded products for school nutrition. I then work to create the tools that schools need. This part often involves working with ad agencies to create the vision we have developed. I have been at photo shoots of my recipes and it is always fun to watch them come alive. Now I generally assist in the photo shoots long distance.

TD: What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
MM: Working with kids, Dayle Hayes from School Meals That Rock, and my clients. I am blessed to work with so many others that are committed to promoting healthy, tasty school meals we are all proud of.

TD: What do you like to do in your free time?
MM: I enjoy visiting my six grands and hanging out on our boat, watching the Intracoastal go by!

TD: What is your favorite lunch when you were in school?
MM: We walked home from school and ate whatever our Great Aunt Margie cooked and it was all great!