About Level One Consulting
Specializing in transforming child nutrition programs and ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals and a healthy future is my goal. With 34 years of deep Federal nutrition program experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation, I help organizations capture value beyond compliance.
Level One Consulting's name is inspired by A. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, reflecting my core belief that a child's well-being forms the foundation for their entire life journey. Just like Maslow's first level, I focus on ensuring access to nutritious meals – the essential building block for cognitive development, physical growth, and emotional well-being.
I believe in "going where the children are" and love to see the programs in action to understand their needs firsthand to tailor individualized solutions that transcend barriers and silos, ensuring every child, no matter his/her location, has access to nutritious meals and a healthy future.
I partner with schools, communities, Tribal governments and governing entities across the globe as your thought partner to build sustainable food systems that nourish children's bodies and minds and unlock the immense potential within every child.
Ready to build a stronger foundation for children's futures? Welcome to
About Sarah
For 34 years, my mission has been unwavering: nourish the future, one child at a time. As a passionate leader and dedicated advocate, I've poured my heart and expertise into the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). I bring all of this to the table as founder and principal consultant for Level One Consulting.
I'm not just a strategist, I'm a problem solver. My analytical skills come in handy when assessing an organization's needs, and I thrive on crafting innovative solutions for even the toughest challenges. Whether it's expanding the Agency's capacity to address equity issues or navigating complex rule changes, I'm always up for the task.
Leading with collaboration and partnership has been key to my success. I've built strong relationships with Federal, State, and Tribal partners, working together to achieve our shared goals of reaching 38 million recipients across 70 State agencies and countless local organizations with over $23 billion in funding. But numbers don't tell the whole story – the real reward is seeing the impact on children's lives.
Some highlights I'm particularly proud of?
Assisted in the design and development of USDA’s 16th Federal Nutrition Program - the Summer EBT Program, ensuring access to crucial nutritional resources when school is out.
Implemented a series of national pilots to evaluate the impact of using Medicaid data to improve identification of low-income children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. The pilot currently includes 27 States, representing approximately 74% of students nationwide, resulting in more children receiving benefits, reduced administrative burden and improved certification accuracy.
Championed the Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Program (P-EBT), securing crucial nutritional resources for children during school closures due to COVID-19. Under Sarah's guidance, $30.7 billion in P-EBT benefits reached 33.9 million children, a testament to her dedication to protecting the most vulnerable.
Directed the Emergency Operating Costs (EOC) Reimbursement Program, providing $1.5 billion to schools and childcare providers struggling financially due to the pandemic. This vital initiative ensured program continuity and service delivery to communities in need.
Navigated the "Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities" rule change, upholding statutory requirements while implementing policy improvements and administrative flexibilities for optimal Child Nutrition Program performance.
Expanded the Farm to School Program, awarding $12 million to a record-breaking 176 grantees, fostering diverse stakeholder engagement and exceeding grantee satisfaction levels.
Championed the development and implementation of an internal Racial and Cultural Awareness initiative providing 20+ training sessions on racial and cultural awareness, inclusivity and equity in the workplace, recruitment and hiring practices, best practices for facilitating DEI conversations at work, and establishing a comprehensive resource library to support individual learning.
Every step of the way, I've been driven by a desire to make a lasting difference.
But life isn't all spreadsheets and boardrooms. When I'm not working, you'll find me in the Colorado mountains, soaking in the fresh air while hiking or fishing. I love hitting the golf course, challenging myself to perfect my swing, or curling up with a good book and my knitting needles. And above all, I cherish the moments with my husband, Will, our incredible kids, Katie and Matthew, and the newest additions to the family – my adorable grandsons, Mac and Wes.
Oh, and did I mention I also have a travel bug? Whether it's exploring the charming villages of Ireland, indulging in the art, food and history of Italy, or island hopping in the sun-drenched Caribbean, traveling the globe broadens my perspective and fuels my creativity. Every experience, from savoring fresh seafood on a Caribbean beach to sharing a meal with a local family in Ireland, reminds me why this work matters so deeply.
Yes, I'm a champion for child nutrition, but I'm also a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an outdoor enthusiast, and a global citizen. Every experience fuels my passion and reminds me why this work matters so deeply.
Join me on this journey. Together, let's ensure every child has access to the healthy meals they need to thrive, in every corner of the world.