May 21, 2013 – Over the last few days, powerful storms and tornadoes have ripped through America's heartland, leaving destruction and damage in its path. The city of Moore and the surrounding Oklahoma City area were particularly hard hit.
SNA would like to extend our thoughts to all those affected by severe storms, especially those SNA members and school districts directly impacted. If you would like to help those affected and are able to make a donation or volunteer your time, there are plenty of local and national organizations that need support. Here is a list of several organizations aiding in the relief efforts:
American Red CrossThe American Red Cross has one shelter open in Moore and is working on locating others. More than 25 emergency response vehicles are already in position, with more expected. The Red Cross is also sending in kitchen support trailers to provide meals to those forced out of their homes. People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as disasters big and small throughout the United States by visiting redcross.org.
Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is responding to multiple locations in the Plains and Midwest that were impacted by recent devastating tornadoes. Supporters are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Habitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity assists with cleanup, repairs and new construction efforts after disaster strikes. Donations to their Disaster Response Fund help people affected by these storms and disasters like them.
Feeding AmericaFeeding America is committed to continue to provide hunger relief services in this time of disaster and beyond. To learn more or to make a donation to Feeding America, click here.
Save the ChildrenSave the Children is focused on assisting the needs of children and families displaced by the tornado. To learn more or to make a donation, click here.
Operation USAOperation USA, an international relief group, says it is "readying essential material aid -- emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies" to help Oklahoma's community health organizations and schools recover. To make a donation, click here.
AmeriCaresAmeriCares is deploying its disaster relief team to coordinate deliveries of relief supplies and medical aid for survivors. To learn more or to make a donation, click here.
Regional Food Bank of OklahomaThe Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts by making donations. To contribute, click here.
The above list is not meant to be comprehensive. If you know of additional organizations, volunteer opportunities or ways of helping, please leave a comment below.
May 16, 2013 – Last week, SNA leaders attended the third annual Healthy Flavors, Healthy Kids National Invitational Leadership Summit held in San Antonio.
Hosted by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the summit brought together 200 leaders from school nutrition, campus dining, chain restaurants, food manufacturers, commodity boards, public health, medicine and the media to discuss and debate ways to improve the health of K-12 students through food education, culinary strategy and flavor insight.
Those attending the summit from SNA included: President Sandra Ford, SNS, President-elect Leah Schmidt, SNS, Vice President Julia Bauscher, SNS, CEO Patricia Montague and Dean of Education Danny Seymour. Also in attendance and pictured below were former SNA presidents Nancy Rice, SNS, State Director, Child Nutrition Division at Georgia Department of Education, Dr. Katie Wilson, SNS, Executive Director of the National Food Service Management Institute, and Dr. Janey Thornton, SNS, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
SNA Dean of Education Danny Seymour and former SNA presidents Nancy Rice, Katie Wilson and Janey Thornton attended Healthy Flavors, Healthy Kids
According to CIA, the key initiatives of the summit were to:
To learn more about the summit, visit the CIA’s website at www.ciaprochef.com/healthykids.
May 15, 2013 – If you think the Annual National Conference (ANC) is all “go, go, go!” with no time to relax, you’d be mistaken. With all that’s on the schedule for ANC in Kansas City, Mo., you won’t have a minute to be bored – but that doesn’t mean you need to feel stressed or overwhelmed!
If you need to take a break from the excitement of the Exhibit Hall or rest your mind after an education session, pick up information on how to live a healthier life at the Wellness Village. This is the place to slow down and think about your mental and physical health. The Massage Corporation will be on hand to soothe your sore muscles, while the Tanita Corporation (Just added to the roster of companies!) will showcase a bevy of tools to analyze body composition.
Once you’re armed with that information, check in with the American Heart Association. Their representatives can not only speak about the importance of blood pressure, cholesterol and weight issues in your personal life, but also about what’s available for school programs. When you’re finished there, move on to the American Red Cross to learn more about CPR and First Aid classes and certifications. Finish up your visit to the village by speaking with representatives from Forrest T. Jones & Company, this year’s Wellness Village sponsor. If you’re in the market for a new insurance plan – whether it’s health, disability, auto or homeowner – the representatives can help you find a plan that suits your needs.
The Wellness Village opens on Monday, July 15, as part of the Exhibit Hall at ANC. For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/ANC.
EXHIBIT HALL HOURSMonday, July 15 10:00 am–2:00 pmTuesday, July 16 8:30 am–11:30 am*Tuesday, July 16 11:30 am–2:00 pmWednesday, July 17 10:15 am–1:15 pm
*Special Exhibit Hall time for directors only. You must register as a director member in order to participate. Each director may be accompanied by one employee from the same district, but they must enter at the same time.
ANC 2013
ANC Registration
ANC Exhibit Hall
May 14, 2013 – Three lucky SNA members won complimentary registrations to attend SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC) in Kansas City, Mo. The winners are:
These members were picked as winners in the 2013 ANC sweepstakes. The sweepstakes asked SNA members to submit an online response to the question, “Why Do You ♥ School Nutrition?” Members that responded by April 30 were automatically entered into a random prize drawing to win a free ANC conference registration.
SNA received a high volume of heartfelt, dynamic and passionate responses. Members detailed their love of impacting childrens’ lives, serving healthy recipes, creating lifelong friendships with coworkers, and much more.
For official sweepstakes rules, click here. ANC 2013 will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center from July 14-17, 2013. To learn more about ANC and register online, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/anc.