SNF and Winston Industries are committed to supporting child nutrition programs and school food service nationwide. Each year since 2007, Winston has awarded equipment to one school district needing improvement of its school meal kitchen facilities. The Winston Equipment Award Grant 2011 application is now open!

Winston will be awarding 10 pieces of equipment through this competitive grant process to one child nutrition program. Equipment includes holding cabinets, holding drawers and thermalizers. For more information on the application and equipment available, visit: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Level2.aspx?id=11634#winston

The online application must be submitted by midnight EST on Tuesday, November 29, 2011. For more information: scholarships@schoolnutrition.org or 301-686-3100 x149

(October 14, 2011)  As early as Monday, October 17, the US Senate is expected to debate the Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.  School Nutrition Association anticipates that an amendment will be offered related to USDA’s proposed meal pattern.  However, given that the amendment has not yet been released, we do not know precisely what the amendment may do.

Some organizations are already calling on individuals to sign petitions or send letters regarding Senate efforts.  SNA urges all members to wait until the amendment is released before taking action. 

SNA stands behind the 11 page comments our Association submitted in response to the proposed rule.  USDA is taking all comments under consideration as they work toward a final meal pattern update.  SNA strongly supports this process and full completion of the regulatory process so that federal nutrition standards will be in line with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

October 14, 2011 - It’s that time of year again—the time when you get to help decide who serve on SNA’s 2012-14 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. Who will be the voice for your interests and concerns in the coming years? The decision is in your hands! Be sure to cast your vote between October 15 and November 15, 2011.

This year, the election 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. You can also learn more about the two candidates running for Vice President by opening to pages 46-47 of your October issue of School Nutrition magazine. When elected, this person begins a four-year cycle that includes the positions of president-elect, president and School Nutrition Foundation president. The newly elected officers and Nominating Committee representatives will be announced in late November and officers will be installed in July 2012 at SNA’s Annual National Conference in Denver.

How to Vote
It is imperative when voting online that you have your membership number available; this is located on your SNA membership card or on the label of your School Nutrition magazine. In order to vote, your SNA membership must have been valid and current as of May 31, 2011. You will NOT be eligible to vote if you became a member or reinstated your membership after this date. Members in the Affiliate, Other or Student membership category are not eligible to vote. The slate of candidates that you are eligible to vote for is based on your membership section and the SNA region you work in.

To cast your vote, go to www.schoolnutrition.org/snaelection and click on ‘Vote Now’ to be directed to an independent, secure voting site. You can feel confident that the election is a secure process, as it requires all members to enter their membership numbers prior to voting and ensures that each member only votes one time. Prompts will guide you through the online voting process, but to save time, please make all of your selections in advance.

It is critical that you participate in this annual voting process and have your voice heard. This responsibility is significant to the Association and to the overall future of school nutrition programs nationwide. For questions about the SNA Election, please contact the SNA Service Center at (800) 877-8822.

Related Links:

SNA Election

Printable SNA Election biographies

October 13, 2011 - On October 12, US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Under Secretary Kevin Concannon joined Arlington Public Schools (VA) and SNA CEO Frank DiPasquale in celebrating National School Lunch Week (NSLW) and SNA’s “School Lunch – Let’s Grow Healthy” campaign.

Under Secretary Concannon attended a special event at Arlington’s Nottingham Elementary School. Two local farmers, who supply the school nutrition program set up farmers market style produce stands in the cafeteria, allowing students to taste test some of the healthy foods grown throughout the region.

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

The school menu featured Oven Roasted Chicken and Cornbread with Fresh Local Asian Pear, Roasted Local Butternut Squash and Fresh Local Green Salad. Arlington cafeterias are serving locally grown fruits and vegetables every day this week, and much of the produce served throughout the year comes from farms within 100 miles of the school district.

This week, be sure to check out www.TrayTalk.org to read Arlington’s School Nutrition Success Story, and to read the Presidential Proclamation about National School Lunch Week, click here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/07/presidential-proclamation-national-school-lunch-week.