A Message from Your SNA Industry Advisory Council Chair |
“It’s like trying to turn an aircraft carrier!”
“It’s too big to turn on a dime.”
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You know the sayings. And when it comes to school meal programs—many people thought they were/are too regimented to change quickly. However, school nutrition programs have disproven these notions. In fact, this industry did pivot and change…“literally overnight.” It is well documented that the school nutrition industry changed to meet the needs presented by this pandemic. The culmination of school nutrition professionals, members of industry and the USDA came together with plans, products, services and policies to ensure student customers’ needs are met.
“It’s like changing a tire while you’re driving down the road.” “Objects in motion stay in motion.”
These sayings characterize the current school nutrition supply chain. This supply system is an enormous engine that depends on long range planning, commitment and consistent customers. When absent, these elements accumulate, businesses shift focus and it can drive tremendous financial losses. With the reduced student counts, many of our school nutrition partners have seen significant budget deficits with reduced sales. These same circumstances hold true for you, the school nutrition industry. With significantly reduced student participation, there is a significant accumulation of USDA commodities (direct delivery and processed) in the system and on processors balance sheets. Further complicating this situation is the competition for production time with other market segments like grocery that are booming now.
We all have bosses, production plants and suppliers asking when will things pick up? What does the future look like? To use a term “we are turning the corner” actually may be appropriate now as it relates to our businesses. Collectively, we are seeing many school districts return to some form of onsite instruction. This coupled with the prospects of a vaccine and the extension of waivers (thank you SNA and USDA) through September offers possibly the strongest winter, spring and summer we have seen in this business.
I do not easily sway to over-optimism but feel like the stress test we have faced is subsiding. I am encouraging all of you to remain in communication with SNA as they continue to work on your behalf through public policy and building impactful coalitions. This includes what you are seeing and what you are facing. I would strongly encourage all of you to register for the upcoming virtual School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC) In January. Although not an in person event, to ensure everyone’s safety, , this may be the most important conference for you to attend in years. It is a time to hear the latest industry developments and glean insight from your colleagues facing similar obstacles.
Thank you for your continued, steadfast support of this industry. Now more than ever it is important to demonstrate confidence in the future and plan for success.
Sincerely,
Sean Leer
SNA Industry Advisory Council Chair
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DID YOU KNOW
When surveyed this September, over 93% of reporting programs were offering or planned to offer meals to students engaged in distance learning. All responding districts with 10,000+ enrolled students were offering or planned to offer meals to distance learners. To learn more about how school nutrition programs are keeping students fed while returning to school during the pandemic check out the Impact of COVID-19 on School Nutrition: Back to School 2020 report.
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SNA CALENDAR
Virtual Events
November 17-19, 2020
January 12-14, 2021
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Join SNA’s GEM Club
Join SNA’s GEM Club and increase your priority points and your visability, whether it is a virtual or in-person conference. You can be a member of the GEM Club for SNA’s, SNIC, LAC and ANC! The popular GEM Club enables SNA to offer additional education opportunities and memorable meetings for all attendees. There are three levels: Pearl Club - $500; Ruby Club - $1,000; and Diamond Club - $2,500. Your company name will be prominently displayed in conference program materials and in recognition shared during breaks on rotating housekeeping slides. Contact Nita Artis, nartis@schoolnutrition.org or Sherry Carrigan, scarrigan@schoolnutrition.org to join!
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#SNIC21 Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for the School Nutrition Industry Conference January 12-14, 2021! The school nutrition industry is in a state of disruption and the need to do more with less, innovate and motivate your team has never been more important. Attending SNIC is the single most important thing you can do in 2021 to meet these challenges head on in the coming year.
Don’t miss it! Be sure to check back regularly for more conference updates.
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Now Available! On-Demand Edition of Directors’ Best Practices Conference
SNA’s recent virtual Directors’ Best Practices Conference was a resounding success with more than 400 attendees! Now, with the on-demand edition, you can take advantage of all the amazing learning opportunities and helpful resources, too. Get inspired with practical solutions to the complex challenges your program is facing in these uncertain times. Visit the SNA Training Zone to purchase this one-of-kind on-demand training today!
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2021 SNA Election Ballot Announcement
SNA is pleased to announce the 2021 election ballot! Quentin Layne—Basic American Foods, McKinney, TX and Nicole Nicoloff—Greenleaf Foods, Grand Rapids, MI are on the ballot for Industry Advisory Council Chair. Biographies of candidates selected for the ballot will be available to view online in early January 2021. The election will be held February 15-28, 2021. Congratulations and good luck to all the ballot candidates! To see the full ballot list, click here.
SNA’s NEW! Strive to Thrive Wellness App Will Launch Soon!
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Giving Tuesday 2020
Mark your calendars! Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Because of donations from people like you, our annual fund continues to build—which helps us award additional scholarships and grants to more SNA members! As schools continue to navigate feeding programs through virtual, hybrid and traditional learning, we continue to advocate for our school nutrition members. We are always looking at ways we can assist SNA members as they navigate the new path toward feeding this school year. By donating to our Giving Tuesday Fund today, you are helping the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) support professionals in the school nutrition community! They need your support more than ever before with COVID-19 closures and dramatic decreases in participation. If your company would like to donate, or has a matching program, please contact Dana Clerkin, SNF Fund Development Consultant at dclerkin@schoolnutrition.org or Heide Voss, Development Associate at hvoss@schoolnutrition.org.
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School Nutrition: Catch You on the Flip Side!
In a year where so much feels upside down, School Nutrition is applying that spirit in a fun way with the November/December print issue of the magazine! In this debut double issue, formatted as an innovative flipbook, you’ll find information on controlling food and other waste in the November half of the magazine and features on the Administrative Review process in the December half of the issue. Read SN’s November/December 2020 issue now.
And with 2021 right around the corner, make sure you are a part of the valuable solutions and strategies sought by School Nutrition readers during today's challenging times by advertising your products and services. Develop your best advertising strategy for the new year—contact your SN advertising representative today.
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Annual National Conference Reminders |
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ANC2021/Chicago Exhibit Booth Deposits are Due
Booth sales for ANC 2021/Chicago are on hold until further notice. For those exhibitors that obtained Expo-space, please remember to submit your 50% deposit immediately. Contact SNA Exhibit Sales Manager Crystal Harper-Pierre at (800) 877-8822, ext. 140 or charper@schoolnutrition.org for further information or assistance.
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Beware of Unauthorized Solicitation/Scams for ANC2021 Chicago!
It has been brought to SNA’s attention that unauthorized companies are soliciting our exhibitors trying to generate leads for themselves for ANC 2021 Chicago. Please do not click on any links in an email or respond to their emails or calls—these are SCAMS! Please ensure that other key staff at your company are aware of this scam. Cyber fraud is an increasing reality in today’s world. Be mindful that as we get closer to ANC 2021 next July, you and your colleagues may receive more such spam emails, as well as solicitations for housing, list rentals and A/V companies not endorsed by SNA.
The official ANC vendors authorized by SNA are:
- GES – Show Decorator & AV
- Conference Direct – Housing
- Convention Data Services – Registration/Lead Retrieval
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Barbara Boyce Media Services – Advertising for School Nutrition Magazine
- INFOCUS Marketing – List Rentals
In addition, SNA has not contracted with any outside publisher for ANC-related communications: Authorized advertising opportunities are available only through its team of advertising representatives led by Boyce Media Services and by representatives from SmartBrief.
We share your frustrations related to false communications like these. Please feel free to reach out to Crystal Harper-Pierre, Exhibit Sales Manager at charper@schoolnutrition.org or Nita Artis, Business Development Manager at nartis@schoolnutrition.org with any questions related to ANC.
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Legislative & Regulatory Update |
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Take Action: Urge the Senate to Pass HEROES 2!
Since COVID disruptions began in the spring, we’ve seen school nutrition advocates like you speak up to ask for the necessary funding and provisions to keep programs running and children fed. Because of these efforts, Congress and the USDA have provided some helpful measures—but our work is not done. We need you to raise your voice once again! Please write your Senators today and urge for the swift passage of this updated HEROES Act, which provides “as much funding as necessary” to help offset operating-cost deficits due to the pandemic and other critical provisions. School nutrition programs need you to speak up!
USDA Publishes Updated Q&A for SFSP and SSO Extended Waivers for SY 2020-21
SNA Survey Reveals School Meal Programs’ Mounting Losses
Personal Protective Equipment for Safe Schools Act
U.S. Representative Jesus G. "Chuy" García (IL-04) introduced H.R. 8664, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Safe Schools Act.
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