SNA’s Annual National Conference 2012, July 15-18 in Denver, to feature healthy trends in school meals

DENVER, CO (July 11, 2012) – As school cafeterias nationwide prepare to meet new nutrition standards for school meals, the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) Annual National Conference will allow school food service professionals to sample healthy new foods and innovative recipes, and learn methods and tips for strengthening meal programs from colleagues and experts across the country.

Over 6,300 school nutrition professionals are gathering in Denver, Colorado this weekend for SNA’s 66th Annual National Conference (ANC).  ANC 2012 offers more than 90 education breakout sessions, networking opportunities and the largest exhibit hall in school nutrition, featuring 850 exhibit booths packed with nutritious and tasty foods and beverages, services, equipment and technology.  

ANC 2012 provides members of the media an opportunity to understand trends and challenges facing school nutrition programs nationwide:

• The largest exhibit hall in the school foodservice industry featuring 850 booths on approximately 289,000 square feet of space.  Exhibitors include suppliers of food, beverages, equipment, software/hardware technology and nutrition education resources.  On display will be a wide variety of whole grain products, low fat and low sodium items, fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy foods, nutritious snacks and much more. 
• Six culinary demonstrations featuring innovative school recipes like Roast Asian Style Chicken.
• Education sessions on topics including scratch cooking, school nutrition standards, Farm to School, food allergies, food safety, nutrition education, managing costs and more.
• General session speakers include:  Sam Kass, White House Assistant Chef & Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives; Phil Lempert, food advocate & media personality; fitness expert Denise Austin; and the first female winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Ali Vincent.  National awards of excellence in school nutrition will also be presented.
• Video welcomes from former President Bill Clinton, founder of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, NBA Star Shaquille O'Neal, and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

SNA offers complimentary press registration for credentialed media.  To register to attend ANC 2012, contact Diane Pratt-Heavner at media@schoolnutrition.orgor 301-686-3124.  Cameras and interviews are permitted only with permission and advanced press registration.

About School Nutrition Association: The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 55,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information about ANC, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/anc.