20 26
Thrive: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Nutrition and Foodservice & ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL Symposium VENDOR EXHIBITION
June 12 , 2026 th
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND CHEF CURATED LUNCH
ICE, 225 Liberty Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10281
Welcome to the Association Healthcare Foodservice New York Chapter
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with profound joy and a deep sense of purpose that I welcome you to our 2026 Seminar and to the family of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice — New York City Chapter. This is more than an organization. It is a living, breathing community of professionals who believe, as I do, that food is medicine, that service is a calling, and that when we grow together, we serve better. Our chapter is rooted in the pillars that have always defined great healthcare foodservice: education, advocacy, innovation, and above all — connection. We come together to learn the science of dietetics and nutrition, to master the art of running a facility, to lead our teams with confidence and compassion, and to find creative solutions to the very real challenges we face every day on the frontlines of healthcare foodservice. We are a community of problem-solvers, of lifelong learners, and of passionate advocates for the people we serve. The past few years reminded us all of something essential: while virtual learning has its place, and technology has given us remarkable tools to grow and adapt, there is simply no substitute for being in the room together. Connection is not a luxury; it is the very foundation of our work, our community, and our growth as professionals and as human beings. When our colleagues stand beside us, challenge us, laugh with us, and think alongside us, we become better practitioners, better leaders, better innovators, and better people. This year’s seminar is a celebration of exactly that spirit. Set in the heart of our vibrant, diverse New York City, at the remarkable Institute of Culinary Education, a true Mecca of culinary excellence, we have curated an experience that nourishes the mind, the palate, and the soul.
President, AHF New York City Chapter Tania Collazo With warmth, gratitude, and great anticipation of the conversations and connections ahead, Together, we do not just attend a seminar; we build a movement. We build a partnership rooted in education, entrepreneurship, and the shared belief that what we do matters deeply. I invite you wholeheartedly to join us on June 12 — to learn, to grow, to connect, and to be part of something truly special. Please review the enclosed booklet for full details on the seminar agenda, membership benefits, and how to join our chapter. Expect cutting-edge speakers exploring the frontiers of wellness and productivity, a delicious continental breakfast and a Chef-curated, thoughtfully prepared lunch, a dynamic vendor exhibit showcasing the latest in foodservice technology, and most importantly, the rare and irreplaceable gift of time spent in meaningful exchange with one another.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
03
PROGRAM Schedule
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30AM
Welcome & Introductions: Tania Collazo, MS, RDN CDN President, AHFNY
8:30 - 8:45AM
Keynote: Inspire, Connect and Grow Jason Wange
8:45 - 9:45AM
Update from AHF National Simone E. Nicolas, MS, RDN, CDN Nutrition Services Administrator 2, NYS OMH AHF National Representative
9:45 - 10:00AM
RC Fine Foods Food Demonstration & Tasting Bringing Up Umami: How to Enhance Patient Food Naturally
10:00 - 11:00AM
Vendor Exhibition, Networking & Poster Session Vendor Raffle
11AM - 12:45PM
Networking Lunch
12:45 - 1:15PM
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
PROGRAM Schedule 04
Afternoon Program
Positive Psychology Presentation: Character Strengths: Unlocking What’s Best in You Jodi Heywood, MA
1:15 - 2:15PM
Yoga Wellness Session Chandni Rodriguez
2:15 - 3:00PM
AI Applications in Food & Nutrition Services, Part 2 Rich Leimsider
3:00 - 4:00PM
Closing Remarks, Evaluation & Raffle
4:00 - 4:15PM
Continuing Education Credits 4.5 CEUs for RDNs | 6.5 CEUs for CDMs
REGISTRATION ONLINE FORM CLICK HERE
After May 30 th • Member / Retired Member: $85
• Non-Member / Guest: $105
A LEADER IN NUTRITION SERVICES AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS Tania Collazo is a registered and certified dietitian nutritionist and chef based in Brooklyn, New York. With extensive experience in nutrition services, healthcare foodservice, and community-based programs for older adults. She currently serves as Senior Director of Nutrition at JASA, New York’s leading social service agency dedicated to supporting the aging population, where she oversees large-scale nutrition programs that promote health, dignity, and quality of life for older New Yorkers. In addition to her role at JASA, Tania is President of the Association for Healthcare and Foodservice (AHF), New York Chapter, where she works to advance foodservice standards, professional development, and innovation across healthcare and aging services settings.
Tania Colla z o , MS , RDN , CDN
Senio r Di r ec t o r of N utr i t ion Se rv ice s , JASA
Tania is deeply committed to education and mentorship. She serves as a preceptor for dietetic interns and as faculty for the New York Distance Dietetic Internship (NYDDI), supporting and preparing future registered dietitians for professional practice and the RD exam. Her work is grounded in a strong belief that access to nutritious, high-quality food is a fundamental human right. She is passionate about addressing food insecurity, strengthening nutrition education, and helping individuals and communities understand the powerful connection between food and health. Through her leadership, teaching, and advocacy, Tania strives to improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life, particularly for older adults and other vulnerable populations.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
Jason Wange is a foodservice professional on a mission, to provide his fellow foodservice colleagues with the inspiration, tools and belief in themselves to create lives they are excited about and proud of. Natural connector of people, Jason is speaker and Founder of The Foodservice Powerplant Network; a community of professionals who are committed to positive growth in their lives and organizations. About Learning objectives: Identify and define the major life domains that contribute to overall fulfillment: career, health, relationships, finances, personal growth, recreation, and service. Evaluate current satisfaction levels in each life area and recognize imbalances that may affect overall well- being. Describe a personal vision for an ideal life within each category using individual values, goals, and priorities. Develop strategies for intentionally investing time, energy, and resources across multiple areas of life rather than focusing on only one. Create an actionable personal growth plan that prioritizes one or more life domains to improve long- term fulfillment and balance. FOODSERVICE POWERPLANT NETWORK Inspire, Connect, Grow
Ja s on Wange
S p eake r and Fo u nde r of The Food s e rv ice Po w e rp lan t Ne tw o r k
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
NUTRITION WITH PURPOSE
Simone Nicolas, MS, RDN, CDN, is a skilled nutrition professional with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and a commitment to improving outcomes through nutrition. Early in her career, Simone transitioned from acute to long-term care, where she not only continued to practice nutrition but also played an integral role in the operational growth of foodservice programs, focusing on elevating the services and experience provided to patients and residents. Simone worked as a teaching nutritionist at SUNY Downstate Medical Center for 14 years, collaborating closely with pediatric physicians to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among their patients. Concurrently, she served as the corporate director of culinary services at National Health Care Associates, which operates 39 skilled nursing and assisted living centers throughout the Northeast. During her time at National, Simone played a key role in successfully implementing a room service program and improving customer service scores in Connecticut skilled nursing facilities.
Simone Nicola s , MS , RDN , CDN
Nutrition Professional
As an experienced leader, Simone developed and led group education programs focused on diabetes and weight management for short-term care patients. She also advocated personalized nutrition interventions to enhance the quality of life for adults in long-term care settings. In 2021, Simone transitioned to state service full-time and currently serves as nutrition services administrator at the New York State Office of Mental Health, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, in Brooklyn, NY, where she has achieved Level 2 status in the organization’s Lean Six Sigma Performance Improvement methods and has been instrumental in developing the first Nutrition Garden in OMH. Simone, who served as the Past President of the AHF New York chapter in 2023 and 2024, is an active member of the National organization’s Board and various committees. She also maintains memberships in other professional groups, constantly seeking opportunities to learn from her peers, share her expertise, and mentor others. She credits her career progression in part to the resources and networking opportunities provided by AHF National and the local New York Chapter, which have played a crucial role in fostering growth in healthcare foodservice.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
An in depth look into what it is, how it works and how to use it to help with flavor WHAT IS UMAMI?
About
Anthony Todaro, CEC, HGT, ACE - Corporate Executive Chef at RC Fine Foods Chapter Secretary for ACF Jersey Shore Chefs Association Certified Executive Chef by the American Culinary Federation Member of the Honorable Golden Toque ACF-approved Certification Evaluator Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY, April – 1980 Member of many trade organizations: RCA, NACUFS, SHFM, and AHF Owner of Serious Beezness – a NJ-based Honeybee Apiary producing a wide variety of Specialty Gourmet
An t hon y Toda r o , CEC , HGT , ACE
Co rp o r a t e E x ec ut i v e Chef a t RC Fine Food s
Chef Anthony has been the Corporate Executive Chef for RC Fine Foods for the last 19 years. Prior to joining RC Fine Foods, he was a loyal (RCFF) customer for 19 years, working in fine dining restaurants, hotels, upscale catering companies, and food manufacturing. Foods with the Raw Local Honey harvested in Mercer County He is a board member in the prestigious Honorable Golden Toque, limited to only 100 U.S. chefs. Recognized by the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Executive Chef and Approved Culinary Evaluator. Board member of the ACF Jersey Chore Chefs Association, member of the Research Chefs Association, AHF, and SHFM. Chef Anthony is also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America April 1980 and an Adjunct Professor at Mercer County Community College, teaching Culinology – The Experimental Kitchen.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
Character Strengths, Mindful Eating, and Well-Being POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: The session will begin with a brief introduction to positive psychology, followed by a guided mindful eating exercise and a discussion of the benefits of mindful eating on physical and mental health. The presentation will then explore character strengths and how identifying and using these strengths can enhance well-being, resilience, teamwork, and job satisfaction. This interactive session will include a brief strengths-based activity to help participants recognize their unique qualities and consider practical ways to apply them in both personal and professional settings. Overview By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Describe the basic principles of positive psychology and how they can support personal well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction. Explain the potential physical and mental health benefits of mindful eating and identify ways to incorporate mindful eating practices into daily life. Identify how character strengths can be used to enhance self-awareness, teamwork, resilience, and job satisfaction in personal and professional environments Proposed Learning Objectives:
Jodi He yw ood , MPA
Wellne ss Ed u ca t o r , Fi t ne ss In stru c t o r , and Na t ional Con t in u ing Ed u ca t ion P r o v ide r fo r NASM and AFAA
About
Jodi Heywood is an engaging Wellness Educator, Fitness Instructor, and National Continuing Education Provider for NASM and AFAA with more than 30 years of experience in the health, fitness, and wellness fields. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration & Public Health and numerous certifications, including Positive Psychology Practitioner, Positive Educator, Reiki Practitioner, Meditation Guide, and Certified Fitness Instructor.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
YOGA Session
Chandni Rodriguez, a yoga teacher, came to share yoga because of life. As a working woman, she had a career as a manager and chef at Santosha Vegetarian Restaurant before coming to work at the NYC Dept. of Education Office of School Food and Nutritional Services. There she was, a manager, cook’s trainer of the Bronx, and a supervisor in Human Resources. Life was stressful. All aspects of life: work, home, and social. Raising a family, being married, and managing a unique workforce and environment while ensuring proper nutrition, food safety, and palatability for the children of NYC was stressful enough. Being raised in Yoga was what brought her full circle. Her mother, Gurani Anjali of Kolkata, India, was the first South Asian -American woman to teach yoga in the US. One line of hers repeatedly came to Chandni’s mind: “ A yogi is calm in the midst of all circumstances.” This is why Chandni now teaches yoga, classical yoga. It has proven for her to be the calm in the storm. Yoga ~ Body, Breath & Mind. Chandni Rodriguez
Chandni Rod r ig u e z
Yoga Teache r
Session Objectives
1. Explore the connection between the body and mind. 2. Learn some easily accessible practices for balancing these two aspects of our lives. 3. Learn movement, breath work, and meditative practices that can be incorporated into our daily lives. 4. Learn movements that can be done in your office while at work.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
Practical AI for Healthcare & Food Service Professionals AI 101 Part Two applications of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini for dietitians and food service professionals. The focus remains on accessible, off-the-shelf tools—not custom industry solutions—with an emphasis on what's new and what's next. Overview This session builds on last year's well-received AI workshop for AHFNY, diving deeper into practical The presentation will include: • New trends and developments in AI tools since last year's session • Hands-on demonstrations and practical use cases tailored to healthcare and food service settings • Case studies relevant to dietitians and food service professionals • "What's next" guidance for incorporating AI into daily workflows • Open Q&A to address specific questions and concerns from attendees Session Content
Rich Leim s ide r
Con su l t an t
Rich Leimsider is the Entrepreneur-In- Residence at the Fund for the City of New York and Director of the AI for Nonprofits Sprint. He has developed and led AI workshops engaging over 1,000 staff from 400+ NYC nonprofit organizations. About
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
MIMI’S Next Chapter
Certainly Not Her Last Chapter
Mimi Wang, MA, RD, CDN , has built an illustrious career at the forefront of nutrition and food services within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly as Chief Nutrition & Food Services at VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. With expertise as a registered dietitian and certified dietitian nutritionist, she has championed innovative foodservice programs tailored to veterans' needs, elevating standards in self-operated facilities across acute and long-term care settings. And through her leadership in the Association Hospitality & Foodservice Network New York chapter (AHFNY). In 2011, she was honored with a prestigious award at the AHF National Conference for her outstanding contributions to foodservice excellence, recognizing her transformative impact on veteran dining experiences and operational efficiencies. Wang's dedication extends to fostering professional growth and collaboration in New York's healthcare foodservice community, where she has served as a key AHFNY board member, mentoring emerging leaders and driving initiatives that enhance meal quality and nutritional outcomes. Her work aligns with VA's mission to provide home-like, restorative care in Community Living Centers, incorporating skilled nursing support and geriatric services that prioritize veterans' well-being. Which she knows firsthand as her service reflects. Congratulations, Mimi Wang, on your well-deserved retirement from the VA! Your decades of pioneering achievements have nourished not just bodies, but the spirits of countless veterans, leaving an enduring legacy in healthcare foodservice. We celebrate your trailblazing journey and wish you joyful new chapters ahead.
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
or click here for PayPal
BUSINESS Partners
TKS
AHFNY Annual Educational Symposium & Vendor Exhibition | June 12, 2026
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14Powered by FlippingBook