New data from USDA allows for the first comparison between the number of meals served and reimbursements in the year preceding the pandemic (March 2019-February 2020) and the first full year of the pandemic (March 2020-February 2021). So, how did school nutrition programs fare in the first full year of the pandemic? Learn More

Mark your calendars to join SNA’s virtual Annual National Conference (ANC), July 12-15, 2021! Check out the full Virtual #ANC21 Education Program, now downloadable on the ANC website! The full range of conference topics includes Menu Planning, Nutrition, Leadership/Management, Diversity and Marketing.

Pre-conference workshops on the afternoon of Monday, July 12 are a terrific way to jumpstart your learning for #ANC21 and get warmed up for the rest of the conference. Start out with "A Deeper Dive to Becoming an Intentional Inclusionist," with Dr. Nika Write, who will introduce techniques to foster a culture of belonging in your program. Learn More

Check out the first of LEAD to Succeed's training modules, designed to help school nutrition managers and staff identify, strengthen, and develop communication skills in the workplace with a variety of virtual learning tools, including self-paced online learning modules and webinars, as well as in-person training. Learn More

Support your team in the completion of Module 1, "LEARN to Master Difficult Conversations," with the help of the Facilitator Guide, meant to support the online course with timing, discussion pointers and slides. Learn More

Mark your calendars for September 22! One of the driving questions many operators have is how to keep their menus relevant to the new generations of students while embracing the diversity of their students. Join us for an exciting panel discussion where we will show you how you can easily incorporate global flavors in your menu while keeping your food costs down by utilizing USDA Foods and basic pantry staples you likely have on hand. Learn More

Take Action: Support the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021! 

SNA has endorsed and is urging strong support for the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 to permanently offer free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to all school children regardless of income, eliminate school meal debt, and strengthen local economies by incentivizing local food procurement. TAKE ACTION NOW!

U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing for USDA General Counsel Nominee 

On May 27, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to consider the nomination of Janie Simms Hipp to be General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Read More

Stop Child Hunger Act  

On May 26, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray (WA-D) along with Representatives Mike Levin (CA-49) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), introduced S. 1831 or H.R. 3519, the Stop Child Hunger Act. Read More

This week, check out the "Year-In-Review" summary of in-person learning in major city districts versus the balance of the country, as well as evolving policy around distancing and in-school mask mandates. A national map of school mask policies is now available. For more information, contact dennis@burbio.com. 

There’s still time to step up your physical activity and be eligible for the second-quarter SNA Strive to Thrive challenge. Those who reach or surpass an official SNA STEPS Challenge goal by June 30 will be eligible for prizes drawn at random on July 1. One grand-prize winner will receive a special wellness-themed award that includes a $150 gift card. Three additional winners will be drawn at random based on step goal level categories. Download the SNA Strive to Thrive App and Learn More.

School Nutrition magazine asked several directors to identify tech that makes a big difference in how they manage their many responsibilities. Their responses are featured in "Tech on Deck," the first SN Plus supplement (made possible with support from NutriStudents K-12), a new channel for the magazine to keep delivering high-quality content that school nutrition professionals and partners can use to meet challenges, solve problems and enhance school meal programs. Learn More