Founder & CEO

Jennifer McNeil

RDN, SNS

Jennifer is a former award-winning School Nutrition Director with 13 years of school nutrition experience.

About Jen

She started by working at Encinitas and Hemet Unified School Districts, where she spearheaded scratch cooking, farm-to-school, and efforts to connect school gardens to the cafeteria. Since 2012, she has collaborated with the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, WestEd, and other State Agencies on professional development projects, including the Ambassadors Program, California Culinary Centers, and the Child Care Meal Quality Forums. As Founder and CEO of LunchAssist, she leads a team of 13 school food experts in their efforts to support hundreds of districts nationwide. Jen is passionate about helping her colleagues cut through administrative red tape and return their primary focus to feeding students.

Certificates & Awards

  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, CDR
  • ServSafe Manager, Instructor, and Proctor
  • Director of the Year, Encinitas Union School District
  • Recognition Award, California State Senate & Legislature
  • Gold Awards of Distinction, USDA Healthier US Schools Challenge

Experience & Education

  • Director of Nutrition, Encinitas Union School District
  • Interim/Assistant Director, Hemet Unified School District
  • Project Manager/Service Member, AmeriCorps
  • Dietetic Internship, Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • B.S. Nutrition Science, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo