FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Erik Peterson
703-739-3900, ext. 124
epeterson@schoolnutrition.org

School Nutrition Conference Focuses on Going Green and Saving Money
Attendees Also Gather to Help Restore New Orleans Schools

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (January 6, 2008) – Making school nutrition programs more environmentally friendly and creating a more efficient supply chain are two ways school nutrition professionals are reducing costs to run more efficient programs during difficult economic times.  From January 18-20, 2009, school nutrition professionals will join representatives from food and beverage companies, kitchen equipment manufacturers, distributors, technology firms, marketing professionals and other industry professionals at the School Nutrition Association’s annual Child Nutrition Industry Conference (CNIC) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Conference attendees will share knowledge about overcoming financial pressures, running efficient programs and taking leadership in the green schools movement.

The Conference includes sessions on the innovative and healthful food, beverage and equipment items designed for today’s nutritious school lunches, new research development in school nutrition and more. More than 350 attendees are expected for the three-day meeting, session highlights include:

• What Kids are Eating – Trends and Challenges: the latest trends and research about what children are eating, as well as how school nutrition programs are coping with rising food costs.
• Going Green: school nutrition programs are turning to green building design, technologies and operation strategies to make their programs more environmentally friendly.  School nutrition directors are also incorporating green techniques to run more energy and fiscally efficient programs.
• Food Costs – What’s Around the Bend?: noted agricultural authority Orion Samuelson will discuss the current state of agriculture as well as provide insight into the future of food costs.
• Within Reach – An Efficient School Nutrition Supply Chain:  school nutrition professionals and industry members will share their efforts for creating a more efficient supply chain.

This year, conference attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a special volunteer effort.  The school nutrition professionals from across the country will come together to help their colleagues in New Orleans repair and restore schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  Conference attendees will lend a hand at New Orleans Public Schools and the Archdiocese of New Orleans to paint walls and plant trees, among other projects.  This unique service opportunity allows school nutrition professionals to become an active part of the restoration efforts in New Orleans.

Members of media are welcome to attend. Contact SNA at email address above to receive complimentary press registration.

The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

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Related Links 

Child Nutrition Industry Conference 2009