SNA Briefs White House & USDA on Supply Chain Challenges
Last week, at the invitation of the White House Domestic Policy Council, SNA briefed members of the Administration's Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials on the impact of supply chain issues on child nutrition programs. Read More
 
Share Your Supply Chain Story  
SNA invites you to share your personal experience with supply chain disruptions, including any issues surrounding labor, product shortages and item unavailability. Your story may be featured online and viewed by USDA and Congressional staff. Sharing your experience is the most impactful way to bring meaningful change. Read submissions and add your own on SNA’s Action Network.

Upcoming DEI Webinar—Register Now!
Don't miss the upcoming webinar, The Diversity Dilemma, at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, November 10. This highly anticipated leadership workshop will challenge you to create true diversity and explore the myth that "difference automatically produces diversity.” Learn More
FSNA Supply Chain Video Series
In response to the challenges school nutrition programs are facing, product shortages, discontinued items, price increases, distributor cancellations, delayed or canceled deliveries with little to no notice, and staffing shortages, SNA has produced new videos that are available on YouTube channel. The videos discuss these challenges and what members can do to minimize the disruption to school nutrition programs. Learn More

SN Magazine: SY2021-22 Challenges
An article, “Tsunami Warning,” in the August 2021 issue of School Nutrition magazine, explores this school year’s hurdles with labor, the supply chain, inventory and more. Bonus web content includes a Q&A with a USDA spokesperson on the likely impacts of supply chain challenges on USDA Foods.

USDA Resources
USDA Team Nutrition recently released "Planning for a Dynamic School Environment,” which provides valuable information about meal service flexibilities and procurement strategies for school year (SY) 2021-22. It's been updated to include additional information on waivers, P-EBT guidance and policy documents, and is now also available as designed, printer-friendly PDF documents. View Summary of Flexibilities, Table of Flexibilities, Flexibilities in Practice, School Meals Supply Chain Issues.

SNA ANC 2021 Town Hall Live: Rebuilding Together
At ANC 2021, a Town Hall with various leaders in school nutrition discussed unique challenges facing operators and industry. Available on demand, Town Hall topics discussed ranged from supply chain and staffing issues to costs, product availability and transportation.
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636 districts across 2,462 schools have been affected by closures in the past week, according to the latest data reporting by Burbio. Check out more school closure trends, updated weekly, with the K-12 School Opening Tracker.
Build Back Better Act Includes $10 Billion in Nutrition Programs
On October 28, the Biden Administration announced the revised Build Back Better Framework for the Build Back Better Act . The framework, which includes a $10 billion investment in nutrition programs, will expand the Community Eligibility Provision to reach an additional 8.7 million children.

New Procurement/Supply Chain Tip Sheets from USDA
USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative has developed tip sheets to help School Food Authorities navigate meal service flexibilities and supply chain issues during this dynamic school year.
Get the Latest Need to Know Information at Fall Industry Bootcamp
Have you started the new school year trying to manage supply chain disruptions and labor shortages? Facing challenging situations and conversations with your customers and other stakeholders? Join us for Fall Virtual Industry Boot Camp, November 8-10 (Level I) and 15-17 (Level II) to gain valuable insights into pressing topics like these, as well as the latest school nutrition guidelines and regulations on what you need to know to operate effectively in the K-12 foodservice segment.
Myths & Legends: Apple Edition
Is apple pie really that American? Who was Johnny Appleseed? Do apples really keep the doctor away? In the latest issue of SN, we dissect some of the age-old stories behind the popular fruit. Read It Now