Virtual Expo 2020: Mark Your Calendar – Registration Opens January 6!
Save the dates for this FREE month-long expo, February 4-March 4 and get a glimpse of the newly announced education sessions! Read More

Apply Today for a Professional Development Scholarship!
Want to earn your degree? SNF is accepting applications for Professional Development Scholarships to help cover the costs of tuition and books for a degree in a school nutrition-related field. The application deadline is January 31, 2020. Learn More & Apply

Setting the Agenda: SNA Releases 2020 Research Agenda
SNA has published its 2020 Research Agenda, outlining five of the highest priority research topics for the school nutrition field going into 2020. Read More
#SNIC2020: Regular Registration Rate Deadline is December 13th!
Joe Gerstandt is one visionary you don’t want to miss at #SNIC2020! Register for his and many other future-focused sessions before it’s too late! Register Now

Get Even More out of #SNIC¬2020–Join a Learning Circle!
Learning circles are groups of up to 8 peers who meet with a designated guide throughout the conference to share ideas, support the learning process and apply the new ideas and innovations you'll encounter at this year's SNIC. Space is limited! Sign up here.

Register Early for #LAC2020 and Save!
Bring your future into focus at the 2020 Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington D.C., from March 8-10. You and fellow school nutrition professionals and advocates will have the opportunity to support school meals and speak up for school nutrition programs. The early bird registration for #LAC2020 ends January 3, 2020, so don’t delay! Also, don’t forget – you have a chance to win free travel, hotel, and registration for yourself and a guest through the LAC 2020 Sweepstakes. But hurry! All entries must be received by this Friday, December 13.
 
NSBW Planning is Ready for Takeoff!
Mark your calendar for National School Breakfast Week (NSBW)—March 2-6, 2020 and pump up students and stakeholders with an “Out of this World” campaign! The theme for #NSBW2020 is “School Breakfast: Out of this World,” so start planning your NSBW celebration today by downloading the NSBW 2020 Toolkit to help you get started on your promotion ideas. Another way to get your breakfast program ready for takeoff, is to visit the SNA Emporium and shop for the #NSBW2020-themed resources available to ensure you show how your breakfast program is blasting off into new territory!
20
The number of days you have to make your tax-deductible donation to SNF’s Annual Fund—the deadline is December 31st! Your donation makes a difference, providing professional development, research, and scholarships possible. Happy holidays and thank you for your support of the School Nutrition Foundation.

SNA Webinars Return in the New Year - Catch Up Now on Everything You Missed!
SNA will be returning with a webinar on Procurement Do’s and Don’ts on January 22, 2020. Barry Sackin, SNS will continue the conversation about important tools and tips recommended for a fair, open and competitive procurement. By February we’ll be back in full swing with a new webinar each week. Missed a recent webinar? Check out SNA’s on-demand library and catch up on the hottest topics in school nutrition; available to SNA members 24/7.

Training Zone: Got Ethics Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
Visit the Training Zone for Ethics: What Should You Do?, a fundamental course that will help you and your staff recognize and address ethical concerns in the workplace. Do you know the differences between workplace and personal ethics? District packages for 10-100 individual users are available and offer a 20-40% discount! Head over to the Training Zone for this and other interactive trainings on topics such as culinary skills and financial management designed exclusively for school nutrition professionals.
Nominate a Colleague You Admire for an SNA Award
This holiday season give the gift of recognition! Nominate someone you admire for an SNA Award for SY2019-20. Nominations for the Employee, Manager and Director of the Year awards are now being accepted online through March 1, 2020. Being nominated for an SNA Award is a great honor. All state, regional and national winners will be recognized at the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at SNA’s 2020 Annual National Conference in Nashville, Tenn.! Learn More
The Expanding Access to School Meals Act
On December 5, 2019, Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH13) introduced H.R. 5308, the Expanding Access to School Meals Act. The bill expands the poverty threshold for free school lunch and breakfast, eliminates the reduced-price category, expands CEP and allows states to use Medicaid and CHIP participation data to directly certify students. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. You can find more information on school nutrition program federal bills on SNA’s Action Network.

The School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2019
On December 3, 2019, Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH11) introduced the School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2019 or School MEALS Act. H.R. 5283 expands access to school nutrition programs through grants, technical assistance and administrative changes. In a press release, Representative Fudge stated, “Improvements to direct certification and community eligibility will help to reduce barriers that prevent eligible students from receiving the nutritious school meals they deserve.” This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. You can find more information on school nutrition program federal bills on SNA’s Action Network.

Julian Castro Unveils Anti-Hunger Plan
Presidential Candidate Julian Castro announced his People First Plan to End Hunger in America. In addition to expanding SNAP and WIC, the widely encompassing plan increases school meal reimbursement rates, lowers the Identified Student Percentage threshold to participate in CEP to zero percent, and expands summer meals. The plan also rolls back meal pattern flexibilities granted since passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. In addition, the Plan expands certain tax credits and benefits and establishes universal pre-K and childcare.
The December 2019 issue of School Nutrition magazine tackles those hard-to-discuss topics of climate change, immigration and contract management companies.
SNA will be closed for the holidays beginning on December 23 through New Year's Day. The office will reopen on January 2, 2020. You will receive your next issue of SN Express on January 8.