November 26, 2008 -- The Thanksgiving holiday is being celebrated in school dining rooms nationwide this month. Many school nutrition programs once again hosted Thanksgiving celebrations for children, parents, grandparents, teachers and community leaders. The balanced, nutritious feasts often include turkey or chicken, cranberries, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole-wheat rolls, lowfat milk and much more.
The annual Thanksgiving lunch at Sunrise Elementary School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, happened earlier this month along with similar feasts in at least fifteen other schools in Las Cruces Public Schools. Parents all community members were invited to join in the celebration for just $2.75 per meal.
In Webutuck Central School District just ninety miles north of New York City an estimated 400 grandparents, family members and volunteers participated in Amenia Elementary School’s fourth annual grandparents’ luncheon. “It’s a good day for the children to bring their families, get to have a nice meal with their grandparents,” said Rebecca Hart, a speech and language therapist at the school, who was one of the luncheon’s organizers. “The turnout gets better and better every year.”
Elsewhere in New York, Oswego County Today reported that nearly 200 parents visited the Fitzhugh Park Elementary School in Oswego, N.Y. to join their children for a Thanksgiving feast. The occasion marked the first time the event was held with the lunch meal prepared by school nutrition staff of the Oswego City School District: "On the menu were turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and apple dessert. Principal Donna Simmons feels this type of event is a great way to build a solid relationship between parents and school which is necessary to assist in student success."
Schools nationwide also marked the holiday with canned food drives and by organizing student and staff volunteers to help out a food banks and food pantries during the week.
SNA takes this opportunity to thank all of its members and everyone in the child nutrition community for their dedication and hard work over the past year, providing healthful meals to all children.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Feast For Fitzhugh Families
November 24, 2008 -- The Tier 2 section of the SNA National Nutrition Standards recommendations now covers middle schools, as well as high schools. The SNA Board of Directors recently voted to include middle schools in the Tier 2 section following suggestions from SNA members and allied organizations. The Tier 2 section covers foods that are sold as competitive foods.
In Spring 2007, the SNA Board of Directors established the SNA National School Food and Beverage Standards Task Force to develop a set of nutrition standard recommendations for both reimbursable meals and competitive foods (food or beverages sold outside of reimbursable meals). The Task Force was lead by SNA President Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS and consisted of 10 members, including school nutrition directors, state agency directors, industry representatives, and academic experts in the nutrition field.
In developing the standards, the Task Force considered these goals:
For additional information regarding the SNA National Nutrition Standards and to view a copy of the revised standards, please visit the National School Nutrition Standards page.
November 24, 2008 -- As part of the first annual SNA Educate Your Community week school nutrition directors, managers and supervisors from around the country spoke to community groups from the Kettering City Women's Noon Optimist Club in Ohio to a school board meeting in Bogalusa City, Louisiana. Presentations focused on the many diverse efforts of school nutrition professionals to provide healthy, quality meals to students while managing financially self-sufficient programs.
Educate Your Community Week 2008 was officially from November 17 – 21, 2008. Often using examples of balanced school meals on the lunch tray or presentations peppered with rich pictures of students enjoying healthy school meals, the speaking engagements gave parents and community members in the audience a good feel for the real triumphs and challenges of running a school nutrition program in today’s economic climate.
From Pennsylvania, Maine, South Carolina and beyond, school nutrition directors covered the increase in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lowfat dairy now common on school lunch trays. Answering questions about the nutritional value of flavored milk and the five components required by federal nutrition guidelines to be part of school meals, Educate Your Community events provided a much needed opportunity for the public to hear directly from school nutrition experts about what it take to run a school nutrition program.
Plan now to schedule a presentation to a group in your community next November for Educate Your Community 2009! See the links below for several articles on school nutrition professionals sharing information about school nutrition.
And what of the question on the nutritional value of flavored milk? Turns out the American Academy of Pediatrics and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans both address the issue and declare that small amounts of sugars added to nutrient-dense foods, such as low-fat flavored milk, can enhance taste and significantly improve a child’s intake of important nutrients. The strong nutritional profile of flavored milk including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and riboflavin outweighs the effects of the little sugar added to flavored milk.
Cafeteria night in the Sag Harbor School District - What’s for dinner? Sag Harbor Express, November 21, 2008
School Lunch: It’s A Community Thing
Educate Your Community
November 19, 2008 -- When will food costs decrease? How can I lower my supply chain costs? What are the latest trends in school nutrition? Gain new ideas, research and tools to help your school nutrition program thrive by attending SNA’s Child Nutrition Industry Conference (CNIC) in New Orleans January 18 – 20, 2009. A unique opportunity to make a difference in New Orleans’ hurricane-ravaged schools is also planned.
Don’t miss out on one of the year’s best learning, sharing, and networking events – CNIC 2009! Join us and strengthen your business connections, further your professional knowledge and help SNA build the future of School Nutrition in one of our nation's most captivating cities – January 18 – 20, 2009, New Orleans, Louisiana.
CNIC 2009
November 19, 2008 -- As daily news reports indicate, President-elect Barack Obama is currently appointing individuals to high-level positions at various departments and agencies – including the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During past administrations, SNA has participated in this process by suggesting names for consideration for some of these positions. As the Obama administration develops, SNA will again be putting forth names for consideration. An opportunity now exists for you to play a role in this very important process.
In October, the Public Policy and Legislation Committee, under the direction of the SNA Board of Directors, voted to create an ad hoc committee to identify, select, and nominate individuals for consideration by President-elect Barack Obama as appointees to USDA. The 4-member committee consists of Craig Weidel, Chairman, SNA PPL Committee; Nancy Rice, SNA Vice President; Pat McCoy, SNA Industry Representative; and Donna Wittrock, SNA Past President (2003-2004). This committee will be making nominations for 4 high-level positions within the USDA. These positions are Under Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary, Administrator, and Associate Administrator.
Starting this week, the ad hoc committee will begin the selection process. The committee is charged with four tasks:
The committee is soliciting suggestions for potential nominees. Candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria:
If you know of someone who is interested in any of these positions, please encourage them to send their resume and a letter of interest to Cathy Schuchart, Staff Vice President for Child Nutrition and Policy at cschuchart@schoolnutrition.org.
Since this is a quickly moving process, all suggestions need to be received by Monday, December 1, 2008. The ad hoc committee hopes to announce a nominee(s) by mid-December. Please visit the SNA website for updates and additional information on the selection process.
SNA Application for Consideration (PDF)
November 19, 2008 -- This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service released figures on hunger and food security for 2007. The report found that 88.9 percent of American households are food secure, meaning that these families have, at all times, access to a stable source of food through out the year. In contrast, 11.1 percent or 13 million American households are food insecure, meaning that they periodically do not have access to a stable source of food. Of the 13 million households, 4.7 million or 4.1 percent have very low food security. These numbers are almost unchanged from 2005 and 2006.
Children are especially hit hard in food insecure households. Approximately 691,000 children live in families that suffer from food insecurity. This number increased sharply from 2006, when approximately 430,000 children suffered from food insecurity.
The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program are two of the programs that many families rely on when financial challenges make it difficult to provide meals for their children. Balanced, healthy school lunches and breakfasts provide the nutrients children need whether they buy the meals or qualify for the free or reduced price categories.
Since September, school nutrition directors have noted that number of families applying for the free and reduced price meal programs has risen substantially over last year. Across the country, SNA members indicate that school meal participation is increasing due to the economic downturn:
These are only a sampling of stories from school districts around the nation. Historically, when the U.S. economy slows and the unemployment rate increases, more students become eligible for free and reduced price meals.
Household Food Security in the United States, 2007 – USDA Economic Research Service
November 18, 2008 -- School district administrators in communities where there is a significant population of students eligible for free/reduced-priced meals know that many of the children who rely on school meals throughout the year are at serious risk of going hungry during the summer. That’s why many have chosen to offer some kind of foodservice during the summer months—as a direct sponsor of the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), as part of summer school or as a vendor in partnership with other community organizations.
Recent regulatory changes have made it easier than ever for school nutrition operations to participate in the SFSP. If you haven’t operated this particular child nutrition program, this issue of School Nutrition is designed to point you in the right directions for both inspiration and resources to get started.
All types of communities—rural, suburban, urban, large and small—can benefit from summer feeding programs, as readers will learn from the reflections of directors profiled in “Winning Ways for Summer Days.” Their efforts prove there is more than one way to offer this vital program—and it doesn’t have to involve a monumental effort.
Next, get a close up view of the mechanics of one rural Georgia program that uses school buses to take the food to the kids. Since the school nutrition operation took over the program in Burke County, Ga., participation has quintupled. Truly, they are making “Special Deliveries.”
There are a number of steps to take—and decisions to make—before you can serve your first summer meal. “A Place in the Summer Sun” helps you to get “schooled” in the fundamentals of starting a summer program, from identifying potential sites to determining the best administrative system that meets your specific needs.
This issue also includes a continuation of “The Amazing Adventures of the School Breakfast Heroes,” who encourage your participation in next March’s National School Breakfast Week, as well as a round-up of activities from those who engaged in “Fueling The Future,” during last year’s celebration.
The enthusiasm of all the directors showcased in this issue for their summer foodservice programs is palpable. None have been deterred by setbacks or frustrations. Instead, they have seen small programs grow over time. If they can do it, so can you. What are you waiting for?
School Nutrition - November 2008
November 18, 2008 - Members of the School Nutrition Association have spoken, casting their ballots in the annual election for the Association’s top leadership positions. Eight new members to the Board of Directors will be installed in July 2009 and three members, representing different SNA regions, will join the Nominating Committee.
SNA congratulates the following candidates for their election to the Association’s Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, and thanks all the candidates for their enthusiasm and commitment to serve the national Association.
Vice President Helen Phillips, SNS, Virginia
Mideast Regional Director Patty Cunningham, Delaware
Midwest Regional Director Paula DeLucca, Illinois
Southeast Regional Director Karen Green, Georgia
West Regional Director Mary Ann McCann, New Mexico
Education Committee Chair Joanne Kinsey, SNS, Virginia
Public Policy and Legislation Committee Chair Melanie Konarik, SNS, Texas
Industry Representative Barbara Jirka, SNS, Arkansas
Northeast Representative Cynthia Brooks, Connecticut
Northwest Representative Joleen Graham, Idaho
Southwest Representative Pat Farris, Louisiana
These winning candidates will be installed in July during School Nutrition Association's Annual National Conference in Las Vegas, and will serve under the leadership of incoming President Dora Rivas, SNS.
SNA Election
November 17, 2008 -- School nutrition professionals across the country are making presentations to boards of education, PTAs, civic groups, and other organizations this week, as SNA hosts the first annual Educate Your Community Week. Since September, SNA has heard from numerous members who have made successful presentations on the benefits of school meals to the local school board and other community groups. This week, SNA members will make presentations nationwide including at PTA meetings in Connecticut, Maine, and Pennsylvania, as well as school board meetings in Louisiana and Ohio. An Educate Your Community Week event in Beavercreek, Ohio has attracted the attention of the local media, resulting in potential TV and print coverage.
The purpose of this Week is to correct the misconceptions the general public holds regarding the school nutrition programs. Everyday, the school nutrition programs provide students nationwide with healthy, balanced meals. Educate Your Community Week is a great opportunity for school nutrition professionals to demonstrate how these programs are an integral part of the community. It’s not too late to let SNA know about events being held in your community. Fill out the form available on the Educate Your Community website.
November 13, 2008 -- Gradually adding whole-wheat flour to bread products increases elementary student consumption of whole grains. That’s the exciting conclusion of a research study published in the Fall 2008 issue of The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management, now available online (see Related Links below). The study tested the feasibility of gradually increasing the whole-wheat content of bread products in school lunches to earn student acceptability and allow operators to include such products in school menus.
This latest issue of The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, published by the School Nutrition Association, offers articles on a number of other topics critical to the successful operation of school meal programs.
The Fall 2008 issue of The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management also includes abstracts from SNA’s 2008 Child Nutrition Showcase, a poster session displayed each year at the Association’s Annual National Conference. The 2008 Showcase included more than a dozen research studies, which examined a host of topics, from the factors that impact school lunch participation at the high school level to the development of competency-based performance appraisals for employees to identifying training needs for operators charged with serving special-needs students.
The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management is published twice a year. Each refereed electronic issue provides timely and relevant insights into the many challenges and opportunities inherent in school nutrition programs.
Journal of Child Nutrition & Management Fall 2008 Issue
November 10, 2008 – Joanne Kinsey, Director of School Nutrition Services, Chesapeake Public Schools, Chesapeake, Va., has been named the 2009 Golden School Foodservice Director of the Year in the annual FAME (Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence) awards competition. The Golden School Foodservice Director demonstrates outstanding achievement in leadership, spirit/dedication, innovation, career awards, management systems, humanitarianism/community involvement and bettering the lives of students. Kinsey is a past president of both the School Nutrition Association affiliates in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
Four other school nutrition professionals were lauded by a selection panel that included 2008 competition, as well as trade press editors and SNA President Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS.
Stephanie Bruce, Director of Foodservice, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Ontario, Calif., was named as winner of the Silver Leadership Award, which recognizes a director who demonstrates outstanding leadership, dedication, fiscal achievement and innovation in menuing/merchandising. Bruce is also current president of the California School Nutrition Association.
Two other Californians were honored for their efforts: Sally Spero, SNS, Food Planning Supervisor, San Diego Unified School District, has won the Silver Spirit Award and Debra Amos, SNS, Food Service Director, Arcadia Unified School District, earned the Silver Special Achievement Award.. The Spirit Award is given to a person in a management position who shows commitment to the people and programs of child nutrition and distinguishes her/himself through innovative programs, marketing, training, customer service, and/or staff motivation. The Silver Special Achievement Award is bestowed on a director who shows innovation in districts with 10,000 or less student enrollment.
FAME’s Silver Rising Star Award, bestowed on a director with three or few year’s experience, went this year to Jodi Risse, MS, RD, LDN, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, in Annapolis, Maryland.
Finally, the Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award, which recognizes an outstanding supporter or advocate of school nutrition programs, was awarded to Tracey Tinder, Southwest Region Manager-Education ConAgra Foods.
The 2009 FAME Awards are sponsored by Basic American Foods, The Schwan Food Company, Tyson Foods, Inc., and Hobart Corporation. The awards will be presented Sunday, January 18, 2009, in conjunction with SNA’s Child Nutrition Industry Conference in New Orleans.
2009 FAME Awards
November 10, 2008 – Hurry, the Early Bird registration deadline for the 2009 Child Nutrition Industry Conference is drawing near—December 5th. Register now and save!
This year, the School Nutrition Association’s annual meeting of operators and industry representatives will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, located in the heart of the Big Easy. This is sure to be one of the most rewarding conferences you’ll attend all year, with numerous opportunities to build partnerships with fellow school nutrition professionals and top industry representatives.
Why should you attend CNIC 2009?
Don’t miss out on your chance to discover big ideas in the Big Easy! Register by December 5th to take advantage of CNIC’s Early Bird registration rate!Related Links
Register for CNIC
CNIC 2009 Handouts
November 7, 2008 -- On November 6, 2008, SNA president Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS wrote to all SNA members in a public letter that explains the impact of the current economic downturn on the Association. The letter details the challenges facing school nutrition programs at the local level as well as the Association.
The letter states, in part “The events of the past few months have been quite difficult and unsettling as we have watched the financial crisis unfold... Whether you are responsible for running a small, medium, or a multi-million dollar school nutrition program; or a national association such as the School Nutrition Association (SNA); or managing your own household and retirement accounts, you are confronted with making difficult decisions.”
The letter outlines steps being taken by SNA’s Board of Directors to ensure the Association remains strong in the short and long term and is best positioned to assist members. The letter states:
Historically when the U.S. economy slows and unemployment goes up, more students become eligible for free and reduced price school lunches and breakfasts. We are already receiving reports from members that their free and reduced participation is increasing. Realizing that the increase in participation combined with the current funding gap from USDA reimbursements can further deplete nutrition program budgets, SNA leaders are currently in discussions with Congress to seek an increase in federal funding to support school nutrition programs nationwide. Funding is a top priority for SNA this year. Without additional funding, it will be difficult to maintain the quality of our programs that we all have worked so hard for over the years.
To access the complete letter, please see Related Links.
November 6 -- SNA members Helen Rankin and Nancy Stiles rolled to election victories yesterday in Maine and New Hampshire respectively.
Retired School Nutrition Association member and former SNA Public Policy and Legislative Committee member Helen Rankin, SNS was elected State Representative from District 97 to the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday. She defeated her Republican challenger 3,072 votes to 1,905, winning all five towns in the District. Rankin served for 48 years as school nutrition director for SAD 55 in Hiram, Maine, before recently retiring and running for the Maine House of Representatives.
Retired SNA member and former SNA Public Policy and Legislative Committee Chair Nancy Stiles, SNS was re-elected for the third time to her seat on the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Stiles was once again the top vote-getter in her district and was named New Hampshire’s Legislator of the Year last year. Nancy served as the School Nutrition Director for the Hampton School District for 30 years before retiring in 2004.
SNA members are encouraged to meet with parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and other community stakeholders about the programs and many benefits they offer. Some of the topics to discuss include:
There are many different ways you can reach out to your community during Educate Your Community Week. You can schedule meetings with various local organizations, including the PTA or PTO, your district school board, local churches, civic organizations, and neighborhood community groups. Just ask if you can have 15 minutes to speak about your program. Be sure to prepare your presentation and bring with you samples, handouts, or posters that help you demonstrate the point that school lunch is great!
SNA members are already getting into Educate Your Community Week! In September, a site supervisor in Minnesota spoke before an elementary school PTO, as well as the staff and faculty of her school. During her presentation, she showed a video created by Minnesota SNA demonstrating how the school nutrition programs operate and how they benefit hundreds of children everyday.
In Georgia, a school nutrition director highlighted the history of the lunch program and its connection to Georgia a presentation made at a community meeting. During her presentation, she discussed how the programs operate today and how the program has changed over the years.
Other SNA members are making presentations during Education Your Community Week. In Connecticut, one school nutrition director will be making a presentation before her district’s PTA. This will be her first time presenting before this group in the nearly 20 years she has been in the school nutrition industry. In Massachusetts, another 20 year school nutrition veteran will be making her first presentation before a community group. Both directors hope to teach their communities about the healthy benefits of school nutrition programs.
For ideas and suggestions on planning an Educate Your Community event in your school district, visit the Educate Your Community page. There you will find adaptable presentations, talking points, handouts and other resources you can use when meeting with various members of your community. Also be sure to let SNA know about your plans by registering your event with SNA through this form.
November 5 -- Please join the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) in helping to bring school feeding programs to developing countries by participating in the second annual Change Our World campaign. Our friends at Schwan’s Food Service undertook the initial launch last year. With the help of corporations, SNA state affiliates, state chapters and school districts throughout the United States, the campaign raised over $100,000 for GCNF programs. This year, in an effort to expand the campaign, they have turned it over to the GCNF leadership.
The Change Our World campaign raises both awareness about global child hunger and funds to support GCNF’s efforts in developing sustainable school feeding programs around the world. It is an important source of funding for GCNF and may be used to help local hunger efforts as well. This campaign will be conducted each year culminating in the recognition of Global Child Nutrition Month in April. Through the efforts of GCNF staff, the Change Our World Campaign Committee, and an increased number of participants from corporations, schools, state affiliates, and chapters, we hope to double the proceeds that were raised in the first campaign.
Participation in the campaign provides a unique opportunity for you to demonstrate the importance of social responsibility and help increase awareness of global child hunger issues. Please email gcnf@schoolnutrition.org for various ways you can partner and support GCNF through the Change Our World campaign. Visit www.changeourworldonline.org
November 4, 2008 – The School Nutrition Association won three MarCom Awards and two honorable mentions as part of the 2008 international awards competition that recognizes outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals:
There were over 5,000 entries from throughout the United States and several foreign countries in the 2008 competition.
MarCom entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. The competition is so well respected in the industry that national public relations organizations, local ad clubs, and local business communicator chapters are entrants.
MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The international organization consists of several thousand creative professionals. The Association oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges and sets standards for excellence. Winners were selected from over 200 categories in seven forms of media and communication efforts- marketing, publications, marketing/promotion, public service/pro bono, creativity and electronic/interactive. About 18% of the entries won the Platinum Award, the organization’s top honor, 18% won Gold and a further 10% got honorable mentions.