SNAC Bites – November 2013
Welcome to the November 2013 issue of SNA Communication (SNAC) Bites! SNAC Bites highlights new SNA programs and provides content for your state association newsletters and chapter meetings. Highlighted text should be customized with your state association’s information.
This issue contains:
1. Have You Voted in SNA’s Annual Election?
2. Professional Standards are on the Way- Get a Head Start!
3. SNIC – New Name, Same Valuable Experience!
4. Send Your NSLW Reports to School Nutrition Magazine
5. Managers: Get Recognized for Your Hard Work
6. Hydrate the Healthy Way this November
7. Update on LAC 2014
8. SNA Updates State Meal Mandates and Reimbursement Report
9. USDA Farm to School Census Released
10. SNF’s Breakfast Learning Series: Successful Stakeholder Engagement
11. Socialize with SNA
12. SNA’s Updated Keys to Excellence
13. Are You Getting the Latest on School Nutrition Policy?
14. Participate in the Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge
1. Have You Voted in SNA’s Annual Election?
Have you voted in SNA’s Annual Election yet? Don’t miss your chance to help decide who will serve on SNA’s 2014-16 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. The “polls” will only be open until November 15, 2013. This year’s election slate features 25 candidates from around the country who share a common interest: a passion for child nutrition. For the full list of candidates and their biographies, log on to www.schoolnutrition.org/snaelection. In order to vote, members* will need to have their SNA website login username and password available. *Your SNA membership must have been valid and current as of May 31, 2013.
2. Professional Standards Are on the Way – Get a Head Start with SNA Certification and Credentialing!
As part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA is currently developing professional standards for all school nutrition staff. With annual training requirements on the horizon, now is the time to get prepared. Consider becoming SNA certified or credentialing (SNS) – you’ll get a valuable head start on meeting the standards! And, achieving certification or becoming credentialed with SNA helps you improve your skills & knowledge, enhance your professional image, and move up in your career. Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/certification to learn more and apply.
3. School Nutrition Industry Conference – New Name, Same Valuable Experience!
Thrive in the ever-changing landscape of school nutrition at SNA’s 2014 School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC)—formerly the Child Nutrition Industry Conference—as industry and operator experts converge in dynamic Miami, Florida, for an unparalleled professional learning experience on January 12-14, 2014.
At SNIC, you will: attend engaging general sessions dedicated to key issues facing SN professionals today; interact with industry representatives, ready to show you the latest and greatest products available for your operation; learn the latest foodservice and nutrition information and trends from leading experts; and connect with your peers at networking opportunities to develop a lasting foundation for professional success.
SNIC will leave you feeling inspired, energized and better prepared to not just survive in the evolving landscape, but thrive as well! Go to www.schoolnutrition.org/snic for more information.
4. Send Your National School Lunch Week Reports to School Nutrition Magazine
Now that your school is finished celebrating National School Lunch Week—School Lunch across the USA, send in a brief report and photos of your activities to School Nutrition magazine, and they may appear in the magazine’s wrap-up article next April. Send them by e-mail to or by mail to NSLW Wrap, School Nutrition, 120 Waterfront St., Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745. [Note: Submission of photos grants permission to use the images in the magazine or other SNA materials.]
5. Managers: Get Recognized for Your Hard Work
The Louise Sublette Award of Excellence in School Nutrition is considered the highest honor a school nutrition manager can earn. Every year, this award is given to the school nutrition manager who has successfully led a project to help the school's nutrition program address a specific need. To be considered for this award, you must submit a Letter of Intent to State President NAME at WHERE TO SEND LETTER OF INTENT by December 1, 2013 and then submit your application by March 1, 2014. For more information about this award and all SNA awards, go to www.schoolnutrition.org/awards.
6. Hydrate the Healthy Way this November
November’s STEPS challenge is all about drinking plenty of water. Download your tracking sheet from the STEPS website to get started. All month long, reward yourself points for choosing healthy beverages. At the end of the month, upload your points online for a chance to win an Introduction to Yoga kit: a mat, block, and DVD! Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/steps to get started.
7. Update on Legislative Action Conference 2014
Mark your calendar for March 2-5, 2014 to attend SNA’s Legislative Action Conference in Washington, DC! SNA is excited about changes to the upcoming LAC. Currently slated breakout session topics include supper programs, competitive foods, community eligibility option, creative menu planning, marketing of produce, handling of allergies and other unique food issues, and promoting your program to administrators. Kathleen Parker, a columnist for The Washington Post, will provide us with insight into the current Washington political landscape as the opening speaker.
Sign up and stay tuned to Tuesday Morning for an announcement when registration opens in December.
8. SNA Updates State Meal Mandates and Reimbursement Report
SNA has updated the State Meal Mandates and Reimbursements Report for School Year 2013-2014! The report summarizes, to the best of SNA’s knowledge, the current meal mandates for each state, as well as any additional per-meal reimbursements or additional funding support. Included in this year’s report is a reference chart for a brief overview of the current policies across the United States. The report can be found by clicking here or by visiting the Legislative Action Page of the SNA website.
9. USDA Farm to School Census Released
USDA has released its first-ever Farm to School Census, revealing that in school year 2011-12, over 38,000 schools across the country served over $350 million in local food in their school cafeterias. You can access the results at the national, state and district levels on USDA’s Farm to School Census website: www.fns.usda.gov/FarmtoSchool/census.
School districts that missed the opportunity to participate in the survey can submit information regarding farm to school practices through November 30, 2013. Districts that participated are encouraged to visit the site to check their responses. USDA will accept updated responses from school districts through November 30, 2013.
To update data for your school district or to complete the questionnaire, contact Matt Benson with the USDA Farm to School Program at .
10. SNF’s Breakfast Learning Series: Successful Stakeholder Engagement
Launching this month is a new, interactive program to help you navigate your way to successful stakeholder engagement for your new alternative breakfast programs. For more information and to register for the Breakfast Learning Series, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BLS4. Each segment is worth 1 CEU towards SNA certification.
11. Socialize with SNA
Get social with SNA’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Be sure to ‘Like’ us on Facebook for fun stories and photos from other districts, new updates from SNA, and more. SNA’s private LinkedIn group features discussions between school nutrition professionals about current issues and trends. Join the conversation today to get quick updates and stay ahead of news and trends!
12. SNA’s Updated Keys to Excellence
SNA has completed Phase I of the Keys to Excellence Program update! Keys is designed to assist schools in achieving nutrition integrity goals at the administrative, management and operational levels. This tool defines national standards for quality programs and provides you with a framework for continuous review, evaluation and improvement of your school nutrition program.
To download the updated standards, visit: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/keys/. Please note that SNA is in the beginning stages of updating the Keys Online Self-Assessment Tool and revising the District of Excellence Program.
13. Are You Getting the Latest on School Nutrition Policy?
Tuesday Morning is SNA’s weekly newsletter that covers the latest in federal and state policy as well as webinars, events, and upcoming meetings. Sign-up today and check out the past articles at www.schoolnutrition.org/tuesdaymorning!
14. Participate in the Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge
SNA is proud to be a promotional partner of the National Restaurant Association’s 2nd annual Kids LiveWell Recipe Challenge! Sponsored by founding partner McCormick For Chefs and Healthy Dining’s team of registered dietitians, the Challenge takes an “industry tested, kid approved” approach. Submit your delicious and nutritious kids’ menu items by December 15, 2013 for a chance to win! The winners will be recognized at the 2014 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago, IL. For more information, go to: http://www.restaurant.org/recipe.
We hope you find SNAC Bites a useful tool. If you have any questions or feedback about SNAC Bites, please contact Sara Sanders at or (301) 686-3074.