About Kayla Made LLC
At Kayla Made LLC, we are dedicated to enhancing school nutrition through expert consulting in procurement strategies. Our mission is to streamline the public bidding process and ensure that schools receive the best value for their food and nutrition service needs.
Kayla Cain
Founder & Consultant
With over fourteen years of extensive experience in the fields of Purchasing and Procurement, I have established myself as a results-driven leader consistently achieves successful outcomes. Throughout my career, I have developed a wide-ranging expertise that includes K-12 food and nutrition services, construction, manufacturing, and food production kitchens. My current offerings focus on comprehensive procurement processes and effective team management. In addition to my professional accomplishments, I have dedicated my time to actively participating in various community initiatives through volunteer work. This involvement has not only allowed me to give back to the community but has also significantly enhanced my leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, making me a well-rounded professional individual.
Professional Experience
October 2025 - February 2026
Culinary & Purchasing Administrator
Methodology, Inc.
For a short time, I took a position at Methodology, Inc., where my role was consistently responsible for food purchasing.
Google Gemini summarized the company as:
"Methodology, Inc. is a premium, health-focused meal delivery service based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2015, ... , the company distinguishes itself in the crowded meal-kit market by positioning food as "medicine" and focusing on a luxury, "chef-crafted" experience."
June 2023 - October 2025
Procurement Coordinator,
Nutrition Service
Val Verde Unified School District
I lead procurements for the Food Service Department and Inland Empire Buying Collective, ensuring compliance with California Department of Education's Food and Nutrition Service (CDE - FNS) procurement requirements. I focused on writing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) tailored to department and district needs. I also supervised the Nutrition Service Buyer. I monitored commodity usage, expenditures, and participated in the Super Co-Op. My responsibilities included food cost savings, procuring equipment and services, managing limited warehouse space, multiple program oversight, compliance with federal, state, and local mandates, and personnel management. I resolved vendor disputes, represented the district in professional organizations, and wrote all department Purchase Orders. In this role, I also contributed to securing and managing the California Department of Food and Agriculture Farm to School Incubator Grant. This grant allowed me to spearhead a project to install a table grape vineyard, at an Elementary School, while maintaining and monitoring budgeted spending.
January 2020 - June 2023
Buyer, Food Services
Val Verde Unified School District
I managed Procurement, Purchasing, and Operations for the Food Services Department, overseeing USDA commodities, commercial products, and DOD FFavors produce. I wrote and implemented full-cycle RFPs and RFQs, ensuring compliance with California Department of Education thresholds and procedures. I analyzed bids for responsiveness and responsibility, handled emergency procurements, and coordinated catering agreements with local small businesses. Additionally, I managed daily operations, including product distribution, receipt coordination, PO creation, and sourcing information from and for multiple department stakeholders.
July 2018 - January 2020
Purchasing Coordinator
Erickson-Hall Construction Company
Escondido, California
May 2017 - July 2018
Buyer & Inventory Manger
Gates Underwater Products
Poway, California
August 2012 - August 2017
Deli Assistant
Bakery Assistant
Meat Department Assistant
Pizza Court Assistant
Fresh Prepared Departments Shopper
Cashier
Cashier Assistant
Major Sales
Merchandise Pick-Up Assistant
Merchandiser
Forklift Driver
Safety Coordinator
Costco Wholesale
Carlsbad, California
Education
2024 - 2027
Bachelor of Science
Public Administration
University of Phoenix Online
Degree Currently In-Progress
Presidents' List - January to June 2024
Dean's List - July to December 2024
2019 - 2020
Operations Resource Management Certificate
California State University San Marcos
APICS Extension
San Marcos, California
2007 - 2011
High School Diploma
Rancho Buena Vista High School
Vista, California
Professional Volunteer Work
April 2025 - October 2025
California Department of Education
Food Distribution Program Collaboration Committee
Appointed Committee Member, 2025 - 2027
January 2025 - October 2025
Friends of the Earth
Organic Procurement Peer Support Group
Cohort Member, School Year 2025 - 2026
February 2024
Institute of Child Nutrition
Introduction to School Nutrition Leadership
30.5 Hours Continuing Education Units
November 2023 - October 2025
American Commodities Distribution Association (ACDA)
Processing Committee
Education & Training Subcommittee
School Years 23-24, 24-25, 25-26 (Chair)
Processing Modernization Subcommittee
School Years 24-25, 25-26
Conference & Presentations
Annual Conference Presenter, Procurement 201 & 202
April 2025
Annual Conference Attendee
April 2023, 2024, 2025
Annual Processing Committee Meeting
2024, 2025
July 2022 - October 2025
California School Nutrition Association
Chapter# 21
Special Projects Chair, School Year 25-26
Past President and Way & Means Co-Chair, School Year 24-25
Chapter President, School Year 23-24
Chapter President Elect, School Year 22-23
Conference & Presentations
Chapter# 21 CEU Presenter, Procurement Basics
December 2024
Annual Conference Presenter, Rural Non-Congregate
Summer Feeding Program
November 2024
Annual Conference Attendee
2022, 2023, 2024
Legislative Action Conference Attendee
March 2023
July 2022 - October 2025
School Nutrition Association
Active Member
Annual Conference Attendee
July 2024
January 2020 - October 2025
Val Verde Unified School District
Committees
Community Schools Committee
School Years 24-25, 25-26
Wellness Committee
School Years 23-24, 24-25, 25-26
Insurance Committee
School Years 22-23, 23-24, 24-25
Conferences
California Association of School Business Officials
Annual Conference, April 2024
Leadership Retreat
School Years 23-24, 24-25
Leadership Academy
Spring 2023
July 2021 - June 2023
California School Employees Association
Chapter# 567
Treasurer & Communications Officer
School Year 2022 - 2023
Conferences
Annual Conference
July 2022
Summer 2022
Listening Session Participant
White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
June 2022
SNA Diversity & Equity in Membership
June 2022
SNA & No Kid Hungry Supply Chain
May 2022
CDE FNS Universal Meals
January through May 2022
Certifications
ServSafe Food Protection Manager
Credential# 21203135
Expires October 2026
OSHA 10-Hour Construction
Non-Expiring Certification
Issued December 2018
ACDA Certified Food Distribution Professional
Non-Expiring Certification
Professional - Level 1
Issued August 2025
ServSafe® Instructor & Proctor
Food Protection Manager
Food Handler
Current and Active
Issued April 2026
Extras
Scholarships
2024 Super Bakery 22 Seconds Society Inductee
School Nutrition Foundation
2024 Super Bakery MVP Award
School Nutrition Foundation
Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Program Knowledge
CACFP Child and Adult Care Food Program
NSLP National School Lunch Program
SBP School Breakfast Program
SFSP Summer Food Service Program
SSO Seamless Summer Option
California Universal Free Meals
USDA Rural Non-Congregate Summer Feeding
Grant Writing and Administration
Personal Values
Leadership • Empathy • Kindness
Collaboration • Honesty • Integrity
Problem Solving • Dispute Resolution
Supportive • Growth Mindset
Quick Learning • Results Driven
Poised under Pressure