Some great leadership talent will be stepping up to lead the association in the years ahead for the SNA Board of Directors, Industry Advisory Council, and the Leadership Development Committee. A total of 2,104 members voted in the 2021 Election, and a map on the SNA website shows voting participation in states across the country during the two-week voting period. Check out the candidate videos to meet your elected leaders! Read More

It’s time to have fun, take care of your own mental and physical wellness and support the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF)—all at the same time! Join your school nutrition colleagues for SNF’s virtual “Walk With a Purpose” 5K Walkathon, get STEPS bonus points during the Walk, and plan to attend the virtual Welcome Pep Rally on April 14 at 3 p.m. EST. Learn More

For the first time, you can have a front-row seat for #LAC21 sessions! Check out all the #LAC21 resources SNA has prepared to help you ace your “Zoom to the Hill” meetings, including a free webinar and the #LAC21 Legislator Checklist, where you’ll create your own personal stories to amplify your message to your legislators. You’ll also find conference tips featuring our new Zoom the Hill Guide and updated resources based on new data on the impact of COVID-19 on school meals. Register now.

National School Breakfast Week kicks off on Monday, March 8! Check out our sample social media posts, social media dos and don’ts, and some inspiring quotes to share in your posts on the Marketing & Resources page to help you #ScoreBig on social media! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NSBW21 and tag SNA’s Facebook page—we may share your content! Learn More

Now, more than ever, your team deserves a very special School Lunch Hero Day (SLHD) celebration on Friday, May 7! Be sure that principals, teachers and parents all know about SLHD in advance. Point them themed activity sheets and cards available to download. Help organize any recognition activities. Give yourself plenty of time to order the official logo and artwork, as well as any materials you want to decorate serving and dining areas, and any giveaways you want to personally bestow on team members. Learn More

Are you signed up for the current STEPS Strive to Thrive Challenge? Download the Strive to Thrive smartphone app in the Apple Store and Google Play to take part. Don’t forget to log your Walk with a Purpose 5K steps with SNA’s Strive to Thrive app. You’ll get more bonus points in this personal wellness program developed specifically for school nutrition professionals, with support from Jennie-O. Get ready to walk into spring and more hopeful times ahead! Learn More

Industry partners are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to expand your school nutrition expertise by registering for the Spring Industry Boot Camp—Level II, a virtual event April 13-15. This year’s Level II Boot Camp agenda includes a focus on USDA Foods and commodity processing, product development and non-food procurement, as well as the highly lauded Director’s Panel, which offers insights from K-12 foodservice directors in the U.S. Learn More

SNA has updated advocacy fact sheets, based on new data on the financial impact of COVID on school meals. Download Position Paper resources, including the REVISED Financial Relief and USDA Foods & SAE Funds fact sheets.

On February 26, SNA submitted its comments on the Federal Register notice requesting comments on the Child Nutrition Database. Read SNA's full comment letter.

On February 26, SNA submitted its comments on the Federal Register notice requesting comments on the School Meals Operations Study. Read SNA's full comment letter.

Last Friday SNA published an analysis of USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) data comparing FY2019 and FY2020 school nutrition reimbursements and meals served. For graphs, tables and more details, check out the report.

The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management (JCNM) is seeking submissions for a special issue addressing challenges and strategies related to the need for alternative meal service and delivery. We invite individuals who can offer relevant strategies and innovative solutions for ensuring the health and safety of school meals in the midst of uncertainty to submit manuscripts for publication consideration. The submission deadline is December 31, 2021. Learn More

Some of the top research in the school nutrition profession is presented at SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC) each year, but the deadline is fast approaching for this year’s submissions. You can submit one of two types of posters: Best Practice Posters and School Nutrition Research Posters. Learn More

Upcoming Webinar

There are so many sources of delicious recipes for scratch-made menu items that grace the lunch trays of America's school cafeterias and tempt the tastebuds of students—inject a little fun and friendly competition by hosting a recipe-development competition. In "Operation Dream Dish," part of the February 2021 issue of School Nutrition, two districts share how they did it.

The Herald-Dispatch