She started by working at Encinitas and Hemet Unified School Districts, where she spearheaded scratch cooking, farm-to-school, and efforts to connect school gardens to the cafeteria. Since 2012, she has collaborated with the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, WestEd, and other State Agencies on professional development projects, including the Ambassadors Program, California Culinary Centers, and the Child Care Meal Quality Forums. As Founder and CEO of LunchAssist, she leads a team of 13 school food experts in their efforts to support hundreds of districts nationwide.

Jen is passionate about helping her colleagues cut through administrative red tape and return their primary focus to feeding students.