A Message From Your SNA President-Elect |
The December holiday season is the pinnacle of yearly celebrations. A month full of festive energy, lights, color and the spirit of giving. It sets the table for the promise of a new beginning. I hope that 2021 will signal a return to more normal service in our schools and a chance for all of us to become more proactive and less reactive.
2021 is a fresh start. We are better prepared and will not repeat the trials and tribulations of this past year. We have a broader knowledge of the challenges and how to overcome them. And a better grasp of our capabilities. The reverberations of COVID will be felt for some time, but we stand ready.
A new administration in 2021 may mean changes in food industry regulations and guidelines. We will have to stay informed and flexible. Rest assured that the leadership team at SNA is closely following how this may impact school nutrition. Changes may include:
- New leadership in the Department of Agriculture
- A return to tighter Child Nutrition guidelines
- Rollback of tariffs
- Reduction of farm subsidies
- Stricter agricultural worker safety regulations
Our industry partners keep reinventing and innovating. We have seen a progression from simple sourcing of IW solutions to meal bundling. Manufacturers are finding creative ways to partner and cross-brand menu solutions. School directors and menu planners appreciate this ingenuity. We are all in this together for the long haul.
Foodservice workers are understandably apprehensive. We need to take it one day at a time. It is the only way to keep our spirits high in the face of last-minute school closures and unpredictable meal patterns. We have learned to operate in chaos and are stronger for it. Now is the time to double down and not give up. It is time to rebuild our foundation. As Margaret Thatcher so eloquently stated, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
Sincerely,
Beth Wallace
SNA President-Elect
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DID YOU KNOW
In a survey conducted in September 2020, over 93% of reporting programs were offering or planned to offer meals to students engaged in distance learning. Of these programs, 91% report that they are providing meals via grab-and-go pick-up. Nearly a quarter are providing take home meals given in school to hybrid students to eat on their distance learning days. To learn more check out SNA's Impact COVID-19 on School Nutrition: Back to School 2020 report.
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SNA CALENDAR
Virtual Events
January 12-14, 2021
March 8-10, 2021
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SNA Plans to Offer Another Round of Innovative Solutions Showcase (ISS) Sessions in February 2021
Our first set of sessions were offered during the months of August–October 2020. A total of 29 companies presented a session—and over 1,500 operators found each presentation valuable. The 2021 showcases will start up again on February 1, 2021! Presentations will be recorded and posted to SNA’s website. We have also created a dedicated webpage to include all 2020 presentations for SNA members to watch on-demand.
The cost to participate is $4,000. A discounted package will be offered to those who wish to do more than one. Contact SNA Business Development Manager, Nita Artis at nartis@schoolnutrition.org or SNA Exhibit Sales Manager, Crystal Harper-Pierre at charper@schoolnutrition.org for further information or assistance.
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Save the Date for the 49th Legislative Action Conference: March 8-10, 2021
Mark your calendars for the 49th Legislative Action Conference, March 8-10, 2021—a virtual event—to experience The Power of One: The Impact of Many. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event! SNA will send out an announcement when registration opens for #LAC21.
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Join SNA’s GEM Club
Join SNA’s GEM Club and increase your priority points and your visibility, 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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Early Registration for #SNIC21 Ends December 18!
SNIC presents a unique opportunity to bring your toughest challenges to the best and brightest minds for answers. Join conference co-advisors Dan Ellnor and Carol Weekly for the school nutrition leadership and innovation virtual event of the year! Encourage friends and colleagues to join you. And we’ll see you in January! Register now.
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Let’s Get Stepping!
We’re taking SNA’s personal wellness program for school nutrition professionals to a whole new level—starting with a Community Holiday Challenge! It’s not too late to join. The inaugural SNA Community Holiday Challenge is open now through January 3, 2021. Those reaching 50,000 steps or more will be eligible to win a special themed prize pack that will include a gift card! Learn more.
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SNF Doubled its Giving Tuesday Goal!
Thank you to everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday to the School Nutrition Foundation. We more than doubled our goal of $8,000 thanks to the generosity of SNF supporters and companies that matched their donations. Every dollar donated goes to ensuring the health and continuity of SNF to better serve our members with scholarships, grants and professional development programs. We wish you and your family and friends a healthy and safe holiday season and a bright outlook for 2021!
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Encourage Your Clients to Apply for a SNF Fall Emergency Feeding Grant!
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has been working hard to raise funds for our school nutrition first responders. In March, SNF established the GoFundMe campaign Help Feed School Kids Now! We are proud to support these hard-working school nutrition professionals by helping defray the costs associated with purchasing personal protection equipment, food packaging, mobile carts, cooler bags, staffing and anything else they might need during these challenging times. We are also proud to support our members, as well as non-members, across various regions of the United States. If you know of a school district in need of funds, please consider encouraging them to apply for our Help Feed School Kids Now! Fall Grant application process by using this link. The deadline is December 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET.
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Develop Your Best Advertising Strategy: School Nutrition's 2021 Media Kit Now Available
When you advertise in School Nutrition (SN) you reach readers who value the magazine above all other trade publications. In fact, year after year, SN beats its closest competitors by an 8 to 1 margin! Be part of the valuable solutions and strategies sought by these readers during today's challenging times by advertising your products and services. Develop your best advertising strategy with the SN 2021 Media Kit.
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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 final payment is due by December 31. 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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USDA Issues Proposed Rule to Restore School Meal Flexibilities
On November 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released proposed regulations to restore flexibilities for milk, whole grain and sodium requirements in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). SNA is currently drafting the Association’s comments in support of this proposed rule and will share them with members as soon as they are submitted. Read more.
TAKE ACTION: Restore Meal Pattern Flexibilities
In times like these, it is especially important that you make your voice heard on behalf of school nutrition programs and the children they nourish. TAKE ACTION!
Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-8) introduced H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. This bill includes provisions providing specialized services to overcome the risks associated with social isolation, such as additional resources from home-delivered meals and school nutrition programs.
SDA Announces $10 Million in Farm to School Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will seek to award $10 million in Farm to School Grants in 2021. Applications are due January 8, 2021.
USDA Publishes Updated Q&A for SFSP and SSO Extended Waivers for SY 2020-21
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