FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      
Contact: Erik Peterson
703-739-3900 ext. 124

Mimi Ford Named SNA Individual Industry Member of the Year

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13, 2007 – Mimi Ford, National School Foodservice Sales Manager for J&J Snack Foods Corporation, was named the fifth recipient of the School Nutrition Association”s (SNA) Individual Industry Member of the Year Award. Ford, who has been involved in child nutrition programs for 25 years, was nominated by SNA past president Penny McConnell, SNS; Maryland SNA President Carolyn Thompson; and SNA Virginia President Becky Domokos-Bays, SNS for her “willingness to learn” and her ability to “work tirelessly” on behalf of the Association and school nutrition.

Since becoming an SNA member in 2002, Ford has supported the efforts of school nutrition professionals in countless ways, both individually and in her position with J&J Snack Foods.  Ford’s leadership has resulted in J&J Snack Foods’ proactive role in developing a wide variety of snack food items that meet local, state, and federal regulations, satisfying the demands of school nutrition professionals.  She is also active in supporting the mission of both the School Nutrition Foundation and the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF), educating GCNF delegates by hosting a tour of a J&J Snack Foods manufacturing plant.  Ford has directly participated in national nutrition standards discussions, as well as advocated on behalf the of the federal child nutrition programs.

Ford is an active SNA industry member and has held several leadership roles, including:

• Co-chair, Child Nutrition Industry Conference 2007-2008
• Member, SNA Industry Advisory Board 2006-2008
• Member, SNA VA Industry Advisory Board 2006-2008
• Member, Child Nutrition Foundation
• Member & Presenter, Industry Taskforce on the Effect of Whole Grains in the Child Nutrition program
• Member & Presenter, Industry Taskforce on National Nutrition Standards / Time and Place Rule

She is a regular attendee at SNA’s Annual National Conference, Child Nutrition Industry Conference, and Legislative Action Conference, as well as many state conferences.

In nominating Ford for the award, Domokos-Bays wrote that Ford is “a true professional who works diligently on behalf of child nutrition,” constantly learning about the programs in order to assist the mission of SNA and provide better nutrition for all children.

Join SNA members in congratulating Mimi Ford when the 2007 Individual Industry Member of the Year Award is presented during SNA’s 61st Annual National Conference in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, July 16, 2007.  Ford, along with the 2007 SNA Outstanding Director of the Year, will also be honored at the Child Nutrition Foundation’s “A Possible Dream” Gala on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 in Washington, DC.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA), www.schoolnutrition.org, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.  The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals.  Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

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Media Advisory
Contact: (703) 739-3900
Erik Peterson ext. 124
epeterson@schoolnutrition.org

Complimentary Full Press Registration Now Available for School Nutrition Association 2007 Annual National Conference
 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 21, 2007) – The past twelve months have generated a record amount of school nutrition-related news on nutrition standards for foods in schools, food safety inspections, wellness policy implementation and healthy school lunches.. Learn the stories behind the headlines from July 15-18, 2007, while joining thousands of school nutrition professionals as they explore the new trends and current issues facing child nutrition programs in Chicago, Illinois, at the School Nutrition Association’s 61st Annual National Conference. Complimentary press registration is now available to attend the Annual National Conference (ANC) the world’s largest gathering of child nutrition professionals. The conference includes over 100 accredited educational breakout sessions, and the largest exhibit hall in the school foodservice industry, featuring more than 800 exhibits. The pre-registration deadline for press is June 30, 2007. ANC 2007 will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois.
 
ANC 2007 provides members of the media an opportunity to take the pulse of the nation’s school nutrition programs:

• Thousands of child nutrition professionals will participate in over 100 quality education sessions on wellness and nutrition, safety and security, commodities, financial management, leadership and marketing.
• The largest exhibit hall in the school foodservice industry featuring over 800 exhibits, over 240,000 gross square feet and over 400 companies. Exhibitors will include all of the major suppliers of food, equipment and software/hardware technology for school nutrition programs and will feature innovative products that contribute to healthy school meal programs. Cameras and interviews permitted in the hall with permission.
• Meet the new candidates for “Vote for School Lunch 2007” – the campaign to drive awareness of healthy school meals and get kids to elect the nation's favorite school lunch!
• General session speakers include former First Lady of Mexico Marta Sahagún de Fox and former White House Chef Walter Scheib. National awards of excellence in school nutrition will be presented. 
• The 9th Annual Global Child Nutrition Forum will convene in Chicago, July 12-16, 2007. For the first time the Forum is being co-sponsored by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Representatives from Honduras, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Kenya and Mali will participate in the 5-day meeting on expanding school feeding through policy implementation, program development and capacity building.

Contact Erik Peterson for information on complimentary press registration: epeterson@schoolnutrition.org 
 
SNA, (http://www.schoolnutrition.org) the School Nutrition Association, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.  Founded in 1946, the Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals.

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