ASPIN Advocates for Child Nutrition in Washington, DC
by ASPIN Team
ASPIN proudly joined over 800 attendees of the School Nutrition Association 2025 Legislative Action Conference to advocate for Child Nutrition Programs! ASPIN’s Charlene Johnson, along with 27 other Arizona child nutrition professionals, met on Capitol Hill with our state legislators to share the stories of Arizona programs and the students impacted.
The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (NSLP/SBP) are essential for student success, supporting families, and promoting healthy eating. However, rising costs and potential regulatory changes threaten their sustainability. On March 11th, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) members urged Congress to:
- Increase reimbursement rates
- Protect and expand Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for free meals
- Address growing unpaid meal debt – currently 25.6% higher than last year
These requests will help schools meet nutrition standards, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure all children have access to healthy meals to support academic achievement, combat hunger, and invest in Arizona’s future.
Further, SNA of Arizona (SNAAZ) will follow up with state legislators locally with a Legislative Action Conference. SNAAZ is providing an engaging and informative 2-day conference April 30th – May 1st to dive into the importance of advocating for child nutrition programs across Arizona. SNAAZ.org
Mohave ASPIN is proud to have championed these efforts for Arizona children for the past 14 years!
To Tariff, or Not to Tariff; That Is the Question
by Contracts Team
As we continue to follow the news, the back-and-forth announcements regarding imposed tariffs are, frankly, bewildering, and they’ve certainly created a flurry in the market. These shifts have also sparked significant uncertainty among our contract vendors and members, especially concerning contract pricing and what the future holds. However, now is not the time to panic, but rather to remain calm and steady.
Mohave has successfully navigated challenges related to market changes, supply chain issues, and administrative shifts in prior years. Our ability to adapt and evolve enables us to overcome these obstacles while maintaining compliance.
When it comes to price adjustments from our contract vendors, including a manufacturer’s surcharge or price adjustment due to imposed tariffs, Mohave takes a thoughtful, methodical approach. We review each case individually, follow the terms and conditions of the respective contracts, and ensure proper documentation. We have found that maintaining a calm, collected stance, and adhering to contract guidelines has been the best way to weather turbulent times.
For our contract vendors: We fully understand the impact that imposed tariffs can have on your contract pricing. If you receive notice of any new tariffs or would like to discuss how this might affect your contracts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your assigned Contract Specialist. Please remember that any pricing adjustment/change must be reviewed and approved by Mohave prior to quoting the member under your awarded contract.
For our members: Mohave evaluates each pricing adjustment request based on the terms and conditions outlined in the contracts. When an adjustment is approved, we keep all relevant documentation on file, which is available to you upon request. Mohave’s Contracts Team can provide this information whenever needed.
Questions? Concerns? We would love to hear from you: (928) 753-6945, or email us at contracts@mesc.org.
Meet Our Newest Staff Members
by Administrative Team
We’re excited to introduce three new members of our team, each of whom will play a key role in continuing to provide the excellent service and support you’ve come to expect from us. Mandy Prestine, Christina Ulman, and Sara Upton bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization, and we’re confident they will help us better serve your needs. Please join us in welcoming them to our team. We’re eager for you to experience the positive impact they will have as we work together to help your organization succeed.
Mandy Prestine, Contract Specialist
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Work Life:
How did you get into public procurement?
— I started as a crossing guard and worked my way up through the lunchroom, front office of a high school, high school registrar, and finally into the purchasing department of a school district. I spent three years there learning procurement.If you could change one thing, professional/personal, what would that be?
— In a perfect world, I would like to move back to my home state someday, Alabama, but Mohave is my dream job. When I started in the district procurement office and I learned of all the paths the job could lead me on, I always said I wanted to work for Mohave one day.What are you most excited about with your move to Mohave?
— I am excited to work from home. I have had work-from-home experiences before, but briefly during 2020. I am just glad to be in my own home, and I love interacting with people virtually. -
Personal Life:
Kids and Pets?
— 4 kids, 1 grandson, 2 dogs, 1 kitten, 1 tortoiseDream vacation spot?
— Road trip through Europe. I also love the Smoky Mountains.Favorite book or movie/hobbies?
— Favorite book would be the Glamourist series by Mary Robinette Kowal, Movie Gone with the Wind, and I love to cook, garden, and embroidery.
Christina Ulman, Contract Specialist
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Work Life:
How did you get into public procurement?
— My first dive into Procurement was being an Accountant for Student Activities at Dysart Unified School District.What motivates you?
— Finding what a customer needs and for the most economical price. I also enjoy seeing the finished project, a new building, or a new piece of equipment that helps the students in their goal of learning.What are you most excited about with your move to Mohave?
— I get to be part of a community that creates opportunities for all of the schools to use quality contracts, and save money that benefits the students. -
Personal Life:
Kids and Pets?
— 5 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 cockatiel, 5 parakeets.Dream vacation spot?
— No mosquitoes, no humidity, grass, a nice shady porch with wind through the pines.Favorite book or movie/hobbies?
— Puzzles, scrapbooking, crafting with friends. Books – I love a great murder mystery: A Secret, Book & Scone Society Mystery Series.
Sara Upton, Compliance Support Specialist
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Work Life:
What motivates you?
— My future self is one of my biggest motivators. I would like to make choices and live a life that she would be proud of and feel accomplished in.If you could change one thing, professional/personal, what would that be?
— Both personally and professionally, I would change the confidence I have in myself. There are times where I wish I were more confident or opportunities I’ve missed out on by not being sure of myself. It’s definitely one of my biggest personal goals that I’d like to work on.What are you most excited about with your move to Mohave?
— I’m really excited to learn and grow in my career, and with a company that has values that align with my own. -
Personal Life:
Kids and Pets?
— No kids of my own, but my partner has 2 kids; I have 2 cats.Where did you grow up?
— I was born in Phoenix, Arizona but raised on Oahu, Hawaii. I moved back to Arizona after graduating high school to go to college and be closer to family.