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.
About Melissa
As a consulting partner at Level One with more than 30 years of experience in USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs, my career has been shaped by a simple belief: when we strengthen the systems that feed children, we strengthen their futures. I have spent over three decades at the heart of these programs—shaping policy, strengthening operations, and turning complex requirements into practical solutions that help State agencies, school districts, Tribal partners, and community organizations work better, smarter, and more equitably. I bring a rare combination of policy insight and operational know-how to every project, ensuring that every child—no matter where they live—has access to the nutritious meals they need to grow and thrive.
I’m not just an advisor; I’m a steady hand in times of change. From serving as the Associate Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs at the USDA to leading multi-million dollar private-sector studies, I bring a calm, clear presence to complex challenges. I thrive on helping partners navigate new regulations and making even the most daunting issues feel solvable. My work is grounded in a deep respect for the people doing the work on the ground and a commitment to helping them succeed through genuine collaboration and humanity.
Working side-by-side with Sarah at Level One, I offer thoughtful guidance and strategic perspective rooted in decades of national leadership. Whether I’m guiding major policy shifts or designing improvements to program operations, my "North Star" remains the real-world experiences of the families these programs serve.
Some highlights I’m particularly proud of:
Legislative Impact: Hand-selected to provide expertise during Child Nutrition Reauthorization, drafting the comprehensive bill that became the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
National Program Leadership: Led the strategic direction and administration of high-priority programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Electronic Benefit Program, serving over 30 million children annually.
Integrity and Accountability: Coordinated the largest audit portfolio in the USDA and oversaw the first reinvention of the State monitoring process for School Meal Programs in 25 years.
Regulatory Modernization: Published the high-impact "Smart Snacks in Schools" rule and reduced regulatory backlogs by streamlining requirements and providing outreach support.
Strategic Assessments: Led seven multi-year studies for the private sector, using data-driven insights to meet study objectives and enhance program effectiveness.
Summer Meals Initiative: Spearheaded a nationwide initiative that reached a goal of 150 million summer meals through innovative waivers and diverse partnerships.
Every step of the way, I’ve been driven by the mission of nourishing children’s potential.
But life isn't all policy and operations. I am a champion for Child Nutrition, but I am also a wife and a mother who finds joy in discovering new restaurants, traveling with my husband, and spending time with my adult children. Whether I am exploring a new destination or getting outside for long walks to clear my mind, these moments of connection and reflection keep me grounded. They broaden my perspective and fuel the passion I bring to my work, reminding me every day why the mission of nourishing children is one worth dedicating a life to.
