/judges
Sarah Minkow
Sarah works as the Nutrition Education Specialist for GrowingGreat, a nonprofit organization that provides nutrition and garden education programs in elementary schools in Los Angeles. Sarah develops curriculum for GrowingGreat’s nutrition program, which aligns with California Common Core Standards, and is creating a nutrition-focused cooking program for high school students. Sarah earned her B.A. in Psychology and Health Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is currently completing her dietetic internship and master’s degree at California State University, Long Beach. Her master’s thesis examines cooking attitudes, knowledge, and proficiency in relation to diet quality and health among college students. Sarah hopes to become a Registered Dietitian specializing in Nutrition Education.
Candice Sainz
Candice Sainz is a passionate advocate for school-based nutrition education and balanced eating from all five food groups. With seven years of experience as a Community Nutrition Adviser with Dairy Council of California, Candice has partnered with over 40 school districts in LA, Orange and Riverside Counties to enhance the health and well-being of children and parents by enabling individuals to make healthful food and lifestyle choices. Because of this work, several school districts, like LAUSD, El Monte City School District and Torrance Unified have received assistance in creating and implementing their wellness policies. Serving as a Technical Advising Professional for the Smarter Lunchroom Movement of California, Candice has witnessed healthy lifestyle change at the grassroots level. Candice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a Concentration in Health Science from Cal State Fullerton and spent two years developing her passion for community health with the Network for a Healthy California.
Debra Amos
Debra Amos has worked in the field of nutrition for 30 plus years. She worked as a dietician, food service director and hospital assistant administrator for 8 years and then transitioned to school food service in 1987 as a director in Southern California. She has consulted in many capacities including, curriculum development, development of products for manufacturers, and administration of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs for charter, private and public schools. She is accomplished at facility planning as well. Debra has taught school nutrition curriculum for 20 years. She has been involved in the School Nutrition Association, California School Nutrition Association and the Southern California School Nutrition Association. She has held many positions for the associations. Debra is a recipient of the National Fame Award, Director of the Year for California, SNA National Nutrition Advisory Award, and the CSNA Legislative Award. Debra’s Bachelors of Science degree is from California State University in Dietetics and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of La Verne. She resides in La Verne California with her family.
​
Michelle Reitzin-Bass
Director of Sales and Marketing at Buena Vista Food Products
​
Michelle has served as the Southern California School Nutrition Association Industry Advisor and has been a member of CSNA, SNA and ACDA over her tenure in the child nutrition field. She is an experienced director of sales and marketing, since 1985. She is active in legislation at the state and national level and advises her companies on any product formulations that must be adjusted to meet federal and state mandates. She excels at promoting the healthy school foods, supporting the efforts of the child nutrition professionals in presenting healthful and USDA approved foods. Michelle earned her degree at Santa Barbara City College with an AA degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management and Culinary arts. Michelle is also a loving mother of two wonderful children, and cares deeply about the foods offered in the school environment.