About Level One Consulting
Addressing food insecurity and strengthening the full spectrum of Federal Nutrition Programs—including SNAP, WIC, and USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs—is at the heart of our work. Specializing in transforming Federal Nutrition Programs and ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals and a healthy future is our goal. With deep and extensive experience working across the entire Federal Nutrition Program landscape—from SNAP and WIC to all USDA Child Nutrition Programs—in program design, implementation, and evaluation, we help organizations capture value beyond compliance and build systems that truly serve children and families.
Level One Consulting’s name is inspired by A. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, reflecting our core belief that a child’s well‑being forms the foundation for their entire life journey. Just like Maslow’s first level, we focus on ensuring access to nutritious meals—the essential building block for cognitive development, physical growth, and emotional well‑being.
We believe in “going where the children are” and love seeing programs in action to understand their needs firsthand. This approach allows us to tailor individualized solutions that transcend barriers and silos, ensuring every child and family—regardless of geography, circumstance, or community—has access to nutritious meals and a healthy future.
We partner with State and Tribal governments, schools, communities, 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
As the founder of Level One and with 34 years of Federal Nutrition Program experience, my mission has been unwavering: nourish the future, one child at a time. As a passionate leader and dedicated advocate, I’ve dedicated my career to advancing Federal Nutrition Programs at every level, from SNAP and WIC to the programs that feed children in schools and communities—addressing food insecurity and strengthening the systems families rely on every day. I’ve poured my heart and expertise into program design, implementation, and innovation that ensures children and families have equitable access to the nutrition they need to thrive. I bring all of this to the table as founder and principal consultant for Level One Consulting. As a passionate leader and dedicated advocate, I've poured my heart and expertise into the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Federal Nutrition Programs. 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.
Strengthening SNAP integrity and accountability through early‑career leadership, including co‑founding the National Payment Accuracy Workgroup (NPAWG), coordinating state compliance reviews, and developing the SNAP Program Analysis, Data, and Information (PADI) Report to improve transparency and decision‑making for State and local partners.
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 Federal Nutrition Programs, 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 and family has access to the healthy meals they need to thrive, in every corner of the world.
