About Us
The Foodservice Experts
Behind the most successful foodservice operation is a Foodservice Expert. We’ve spent over 25 years helping School Foodservice Directors build complete systems so that their Foodservice division not only works but thrives! Our proven process for developing complete systems brings together a comprehensive approach under Foodservice experts’ personalized guidance. Ultimately, we can help you create a food service division you will love leading and a life you will love living.
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Under the Leadership of Claudie Phillips
Experienced, highly motivated, and trailblazer in Education and the School Food Service Industry. Former Director of Food Service for the Chicago Public Schools and Illinois School District U-46; former President of the Illinois School Food Service Association; President of CP Professional Foodservices, Inc., Founder of The ICONS Foundation, and President of CP Consulting Services, Inc.
Claudie has provided leadership and direction to all employees responsible for the food service program conformance with local, state, and federal regulations and requirements, including public health and safety.
- Provided direction in menu development and design within standards and criteria established by state and federal regulations.
- Provided direction for job descriptions, performance evaluations, guidelines for hiring and termination, and supervisory development training.
- Served as a market research medium for all food, equipment, and food related items for the food service program.
- Worked with the Chief Operations Officer on preparing the department’s budget.
- In cooperation with human resources, administered personnel policies for food service employees.
- Consulted with administration and architects on plans and specifications for proposed new or remodeled food service facilities.
Chicago Public Schools, 1995
Elgin U-46 Schools, 2017
Honors and Awards
- Distinguished Woman in Business Award Parkway Community Center, Chicago, Illinois, for outstanding achievement Life Skills Training.
- Awarded the Jessie B. Deloch Achievement in Business Award by the Minority Business Opportunity Committee, U.S.D.A, Food and Consumer Service.
- Hosted a Regional Conference on the "Shocking Truths About Childhood Obesity", Shirley Watkins, former Under Secretary for the Department of Child Nutrition and Consumer Services for USDA.
- U-46 Schools first to rank Gold, Silver and/or Bronze Level in Illinois Healthier School Lunch Initiative.
Accomplishments
- Positioned Food and Nutrition Services as an Integral Part of the Educational Program in the two largest school districts in the state of Illinois
- First in Illinois to form an Active Wellness-Committee
- Implemented a Mentoring and Management Training Program
- Restructured the Commissary in School District U-46 to improve operation efficiency
- Formed effective partnerships with Public and Private Organizations
- Instrumental in the design and building of a new Food and Nutrition Service Wellness Center in School District U-46
Special Initiatives
Total School and Community Involvement
Claudie has developed a holistic approach to managing and promoting the Department of Food and Nutrition Services. Involvement from industry, school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and employees. Public and Private organizations also provided in-kind and monetary contributions that proved to be exactly what is needed to maintain a successful Food Service Operation. As a result of this holistic approach, employees developed more pride in their work; productivity increased; personal and professional growth improved; student and parent involvement improved, and the Food Service Department is in alignment with the district's goals. For the first time to Claudie's knowledge, the foodservice employees see themselves as true professionals. They now can conceptualize the vital role they play in being an integral part of students' total educational experience.
Industry Advisory Councils
Claudie is an expert in creating public and private partnerships to provide resources to promote an ongoing need to change the course of a healthier lifestyle for all individuals and specifically children who participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Claudie has organized and maintained over 15 Industry Advisory Councils in the state of Illinois.
Public and Private Partnerships
Forming partnerships is one certainly one of Claudie’s leadership strengths. Shortly after accepting the position of Director of Food and Nutrition Services, she began to put together a team of strong supporters and advocates of the Children Nutrition program. This team of supporters consisted of retired foodservice industry partners, food manufacturers, food distributors, foodservice brokers for public and private health and wellness related organizations and agencies. These individuals offer their support both monetarily and in-kind contributions.
Youth Advisory Councils (YAC)
Claudie has organized over 300 YAC Groups in Illinois over the last 25 years. Each year the YAC’s participated various contests including students of all grade levels. Students use their own creativity in the form or writing, art and music to deliver strong messages for promoting wellness and making healthy lifestyle decisions. Nurture Bear and Captain Nutrition are two of the major characters that often participate in Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives that are sponsored by her marketing programs.
Captain Nutrition and His League of Wellness
Captain Nutrition and His Wellness characters were created to teach nutrition awareness and nutrition education to students at all levels. They were also used in promotional activities and in the marketing of school meals.
The ICONS Foundation
The International Council On Nutrition Solutions (ICONS) Foundation is a 501© (3) not for profit consumer education organization established to provide nutrition education resources and programs to schools, children and families via community outreach initiatives. The ICONS Foundation’s primary goal is to increase the awareness of children and their parents about the importance of good nutrition while expanding their capacity to serve as change agents in their communities.
Nurture Bear’s Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program
Nurture Bear was crated in 1995 to promote “Changing Your Course to a Healthier Lifestyle. This character was developed to use as a positive figure to promote positive traits such as caring, honesty, forgiving, and empathy while teaching the Character Traits of Wellness to children. Nurture Bear became a sought-after character and was featured in five books which were authored by children. He also appeared at book-signing for the authors in the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas.
ICONS Works Young Authors Program for Children
The development of the young authors program was created as an avenue to help students develop their writing and communication skills through writing about the importance of making healthy food choices. Since 1995, a few of the authors have actually had their books published, and these students have excelled in education and have become positive role models for other students.
Testimonial
“The lessons and education that this has provided for my family has been so valuable. The sense of community and passion that Claudie presents through her work made the experience of working with her unforgettable.”
Donald and Dorinda Jeremiah
Parents, SD U-46
Testimonial
“Ms. Phillips was a powerful mentor, who encouraged me to make a true connection to young people—which was paramount in my ability to get them excited about trying new foods and learning about changing their diets.”
Chef David Fuller
President—Eating To Live, LLC