A Message from Your SNA President-Elect
It was great seeing so many of you at SNA’s 47th annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC) last week! What a wonderful turn out and amazing sessions. I really enjoyed hearing from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, USDA panel, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Senators Daschle and Lott! The School Nutrition Foundation’s (SNF) Party With A Purpose and the performance by the Capitol Steps was a fun way to take a breath from the busy agenda, visit with friends, have a laugh and prepare to Charge the Hill! A big thank you to everyone who continue to help support SNF and our SNA PAC.

It is conferences like LAC that help to remind us how important ALL members are to our great Association and legislation and advocacy play a very large role in the success of our programs and our business. I always enjoy hearing from Industry about our Position Paper and how it impacts their business and customers.

It may be difficult to believe, but this time of year, it seems like we are all working hard to be sure we are ready to hit the ground running on school year 2019-20. One of the best ways to prepare for what’s to come is to consider attending SNA’s Spring Industry Boot Camp! This year the event will be held on May 1- 2 in beautiful Alexandria, Virginia--and it is an intense educational seminar designed for both the newcomers and our seasoned industry veterans. It will help answer any questions you may have about K-12 foodservice, provide an opportunity for a school visit and will feature USDA updates and a Q&A with a panel of foodservice directors. Attending will give you a great understanding of the market and what directors need from our Industry partners to be successful.

Thanks again for all you do to help feed America’s children! Here’s to an early Spring!

Sincerely,

Doug Davis, SNS
SNA President-Elect
DID YOU KNOW

Mexican food items, pre-packaged salads, Asian food selections, salad or produce bars, and locally sourced fruits and vegetables were the top five most popular food options, of food options asked about in the 2018 survey. Learn more in SNA’s 2018 Operations Report .
SNA CALENDAR

May 1-2, 2019
Alexandria, Va.

July 14-16, 2019
St. Louis, Mo.
Important Announcements
SNA Wants YOU to Attend This Spring’s Industry Boot Camp: Be the First to Experience the New Format Including an Evening Networking Reception

Are you an industry representative new to the multi-billion-dollar school nutrition market--or a seasoned veteran that wants to brush up on the intricacies of this complex segment? Designed specifically for our industry partners, SNA's Spring Industry Boot Camp , taking place May 1-2, 2019 , in Alexandria, VA, is a dynamic educational seminar that provides a thorough overview of today's school nutrition environment, including new information on procurement ethics, a tour of a local cafeteria and a two-hour panel discussion with major city school nutrition directors. Reserve your spot today as seating is limited.
 
Short Survey on Equipment and Technology/Software Needs for Breakfast in the Classroom!

The School Nutrition Foundation is creating a digital equipment/technology purchasing guide for foodservice equipment and POS technology equipment. We need your help in identifying and linking your products with school nutrition program decision makers. Please complete this 5 minute questionnaire for potential inclusion of your company’s products in the equipment/technology purchasing guide. We plan to keep the survey open until Friday, March 22.
 
LAC Attendees Helped the School Nutrition Foundation Party With A Purpose!

SNA members do many things well in addition to feeding our nation’s schoolchildren . Having a good time and raising funds for the School Nutrition Foundation are just two more of them. Party With A Purpose at LAC provided the ideal opportunity for all attendees to enjoy a tremendous show by the Capitol Steps and to donate to their Foundation. Almost $102,000 was raised which will provide more scholarships and professional development programs for SNA members.
 
Become a Sponsor at SNA's National Leadership Conference or Annual National Conference

Now is the time to contact SNA to increase your visibility at NLC and ANC and help build brand familiarity with potential clients. For sponsorship opportunities please see our  2019 Sponsorship Brochure . For more information, please contact SVP of Business Development and Meetings Sherry Carrigan at scarrigan@schoolnutrition.org  or SNA Exhibit Sales Manager Crystal Harper-Pierre at  charper@schoolnutrition.org .

Introducing SNA’s New Procurement Zone!

As part of SNA’s ongoing efforts to help school nutrition professionals on a path to continuous improvement in procurement practices , SNA has launched the Procurement Zone (www.schoolnutrition.org/Procurement) , as part of its new SNA Learning Center ( www.schoolnutrition.org/LearningCenter ) .

The Procurement Zone offers user-friendly resources available to SNA members including procurement do’s and don’ts, procurement regulations, procurement and administrative review preparations, understanding the Buy American provision and more. You’ll also find templates from state agencies across the country and a primer designed to help school business officials understand the nuances of school nutrition procurement.

The goal of the new Procurement Zone is to help you feel more confident in this complex part of school nutrition. The resources available will help you manage effective, fair, transparent and competitive procurement practices. Check it out today! www.schoolnutrition.org/Procurement
 
Big Savings! School Nutrition and ANC Program Guide Combo

Save when you advertise in both of the summer’s hottest, most viewed publications from SNA!
  • School Nutrition’s June/July Issue: Delivered to more than 58,000 school nutrition decision-makers, this ANC edition (double issue) is jam-packed with hot topics on school nutrition and features all of the conference details. It also has bonus distribution at ANC!
  • ANC Program Guide: This colorful 100+ page guide provides thousands of ANC attendees with the onsite particulars for the “Hottest Event in School Nutrition.” This is SNA’s official trade show directory & guide! WHAT’S NEW: This year, SNA is offering a new opportunity with “Enhanced Listings” for advertising exhibitors!

Don’t miss this great combo opportunity which comes w/ a ‘Combo Discount’!—space reservation deadline is April 4. Click here to learn more and to book your space today.
Annual National Conference Reminders
ANC 2019 St. Louis Exhibit Hall Sign-Up: Less Than 50 Booths Available!

You don't want to miss an opportunity to network with fellow exhibitors, demo your culinary expertise and meet influential decision-makers. ANC is the "School Nutrition Event of the Year"!

If you haven't done so already, visit ANC 2019 Exhibit Hall Sign Up , to see what exhibit space is still available for the upcoming 73rd Annual National Conference in St. Louis, Mo. at America Center on July 15-16, 2019 (2 day tradeshow).

Contact Crystal Harper-Pierre, Exhibits Sales Manager at (800) 877-8822, ext. 140 or charper@schoolnutrition.org , to reserve your booth space. Crystal looks forward to hearing from you.
 
Submit Your Program Description for ANC

The official ANC Program Guide includes all session and event information, as well as an in-depth buyers’ guide section. It is a valuable onsite tool and future reference guide for attendees. Visit  Submit Your ANC Program Guide Company Description by March 31, 2019.

Certificate of Insurance

Please provide Rain Protection Insurance (official SNA vendor) your company’s Certificate of Insurance (COI). It is mandatory for all companies exhibiting at ANC 2019 to carry worker’s compensation, comprehensive general liability (including products & operations), independent contractors, personal injury and blanket contractual liability. It is strongly recommended that exhibitors carry insurance to cover loss of or damage to their exhibits or other personal property while such property is located at or is in transit to or from the Convention Center. You cannot obtain access of your booth until SNA receives the COI. Deadline to submit your Certificate of Insurance (COI) to SNA is May 31.
 
 
Be a Part of One of the Highlights of ANC—Culinary Demonstrations (Only 1 timeslot available)

The Culinary Demonstrations will be held during the education session time slots; more visibility for your company . Culinary Demos provide an opportunity to showcase your latest food products, recipes, techniques, nutrition and food presentation skills and offer ways to enhance school meals and increase participation. These demos will be available for purchase of $3,500 each. You must be exhibiting at ANC19 to present a demo.

2019 ANC New Product Showcase

Enhance your visibility at ANC by displaying your product within the New Produce Showcase. The Showcase is a one-of-a-kind display of the new products, services and equipment positioned outside of the Exhibit Hall in a high-traffic area. It is a quick and effective way to introduce and promote your product to the 6,800+ ANC attendees. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served-basis. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity and reserve your spot no later than May 31 . Don’t miss out! 

Do You Know How to Increase Your Priority Points?

Priority points are earned from June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 and are compiled based on the following criteria.

Remember that these points will determine your scheduled appointment for exhibitor sign-up for ANC 2020 Nashville. Contact the following SNA Centers to show your support and to increase your points at (703) 824-3000:

  • Meetings (exhibits/booths) at ext. 140
  • Business Development (membership & sponsorship) at ext. 173
  • Communications (advertising) at ext. 112
  • School Nutrition Foundation (sponsorship) at ext. 131

Change in Personnel

Please notify SNA when there is a change in staff or management, so that we can update your company record. Email the information to meetings@schoolnutrition.org . Thank you.
Legislative & Regulatory Update
Watch Sec. Perdue’s Address at #LAC19

On February 25, 2019, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addressed approximately 900 school nutrition professionals attending SNA’s 47th annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC). Sec. Perdue spoke about his experiences with school meals programs and USDA’s efforts to provide flexibility to help school nutrition operators better serve students. He also announced USDA’s final rule on  hiring flexibilities  for school nutrition programs and State Agency staff.  You can watch a video of his speech here .

SNA Policy Priorities Included in 2019 Appropriations Bill

The 2019 Agriculture Appropriations bill signed into law in February included two SNA policy priorities. The law provides $20,000,000 in commodity support for the School Breakfast Program and $30,000,000 for school nutrition equipment grants. Increasing commodity support for school breakfast remains a key SNA priority this year and was included in the 2019 Position Paper .

LAC 2019 Feedback Forms

Calling all attendees from LAC 2019! Although LAC may be over, SNA’s work is just beginning. Please be sure to send in your  Feedback Forms ! There are multiple feedback form return options to choose from. This feedback and input are essential to SNA’s mission and helps fuel our advocacy efforts on your behalf throughout the year. Please email any feedback forms to advocacy@schoolnutrition.org .