Register to Vote: School Nutrition Is on the Ballot!
With this year's election only weeks away, the School Nutrition Association encourages all of its members to register to vote! 

Take Action: Urge the Senate to Pass HEROES 2!
Reach out to your Senators and urge passage of the updated HEROES Act which provides critical funding to school meal programs to help cover operating-cost deficits due to COVID-19.

SNA Members from North and South Carolina Win Big!

2021 SNA Election Ballot Announcement
The SNA Leadership Development Committee is pleased to announce the 2021 Election Ballot for positions on the SNA Board of Directors, the Leadership Development Committee, and the Industry Advisory Council. Read More
School Meals Marketing Toolkit
Check out the School Meals Marketing Toolkit by No Kid Hungry to help you get the word out to families about meals available for kids. It includes a variety of both ready to use and customizable assets—in both English and Spanish—to help you quickly and easily communicate with families. 
 
Resources to Encourage Your Community to #SupportSchoolMeals
In an effort to #SupportSchoolMeals, General Mills has put together resources for you to share with your families and stakeholders on the importance of participating in school meals. Check out their video and infographic, available in English and Spanish. Learn More
 
Increasing Drinking Water Availability in Schools
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires schools to make potable water available at no charge to students, wherever lunch is served, and when breakfast is served in the cafeteria. Use this guide to learn strategies and tips for success for increasing drinking water availability during COVID-19 and beyond. Learn More

Fostering a Culture of Wellness, Gratitude, and Self-Care: Strategies for Food Service Directors
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has developed a two-part webinar series to provide school nutrition directors with resources to support their team's social-emotional health under times of stress and uncertainty. In part 1—taking place on Thursday, November 5, 1:30 pm EST—learn why staff well-being is critical for a productive workforce, strategies to support staff (and you!), and the building blocks of cultivating a positive culture. Free account creation required to register. Register for this webinar.
40

The number of states that have been given an emergency relief grant through the School Nutrition Foundation’s Help Feed School Kids Now! GoFundMe campaign.

USDA Publishes Q&A for SFSP and SSO Extended Waivers
On October 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published Q&A on nationwide waivers.

SNA Comments on COVID-19 Information Collection
On October 20, 2020, SNA submitted comments to the USDA FNS for the Federal Register notice, "Agency Information Collection Activities: FNS Information Collection Needs due to COVID-19." 

USDA Responds to SNA Comments
The USDA FNS responded to SNA’s comments on COVID-19 information collection, emphasizing efforts to limit information collection and reduce burden. SNA was thanked for the continued partnership.
 
USDA Announces $4.1 Million in Team Nutrition Training Grants
The USDA FNS has announced $4.1 million in Team Nutrition Training Grants to State Agencies to develop standardized recipes for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. 
Closing Soon: Registration for Industry Boot Camp
Closing next week—registration for Industry Boot Camp Level 1- an intensive three-day seminar November 17-19 that is a must-attend for industry representatives new to the K-12 school foodservice segment. Attend this intensive three-day educational seminar and you will:
  •  Hear firsthand from a panel of school foodservice directors,
  • Understand how indirect costs, meal charges and reimbursement levels affect how a school district budget is developed, and
  • Gain expert insights into the latest school nutrition guidelines and regulations.
This program will not be offered again until spring 2021, so don’t miss out! View the agenda for more information and register online now.

Coming Soon: SNIC 2021!
School Nutrition celebrates National Farm to School Month with inspirational stories from six school districts undeterred by pandemic challenges. 
School Nutrition thanks E S Foods for its generous support in making this article available.
‌