September 30, 2009 - School nutrition programs that serve chocolate milk (in addition to white milk) serve more milk to students than districts that offer just white milk. Additionally, the average amount of milk served to students continues to increase as the number of different flavored milk options increases. This is according to a recently released study of school milk consumption. Information collected from milk processors and school nutrition programs, determined that the average student receives 3.8 milk servings per week at school. Schools that only offer white milk provide an average of 3.0 servings of milk per week to students while schools that also offer chocolate milk provide an average of 3.6 servings of milk per week to students. For more resources on serving flavored milks in your program, see the “Related Links” section below.
While this research shows that flavored milk can help increase the student milk consumption, it also indicated that an increasing number of school nutrition directors are receiving questions or concerns regarding the added sugar in flavored milk. For more information about flavored milk, please see the “Related Links” section at the end of this article.
The study also showed that school nutrition directors are becoming increasingly aware of chocolate milk’s impact as a sports recovery beverage. A webcast on Monday, October 5th at 7pm ET/4pm PT, can provide you with more information and resources on this topic. This webcast, sponsored by the got milk? Body By Milk Campaign and the NBA, will provide tips on how you can help your students athletes perform at their peak.
Annual School Milk Survey Report
Fact Sheet on Flavored Milk
List of Milk Resources
got milk? Body By Milk Campaign and NBA Free Webinar
September 30, 2009 -- The School Nutrition Association’s 2008 National School Lunch Week Campaign, “Vote for School Lunch – Presidential Edition,” was honored last night by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with a 2009 Summit Award. The award was presented to SNA during the 10th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
L-R Thomas Kuhn (ASAE), Clark Price (ASAE),Barbara Belmont, Jennifer Lewi,Laura Maynard, John Graham (ASAE)
“Vote for School Lunch – Presidential Edition” was the culmination of SNA’s most successful National School Lunch Week campaign. Supported by SNA’s 55,000 members, and generously sponsored by the Milk Processors Education Program (MilkPEP), the campaign delivered important nutrition messages to students regarding healthy school meals. Coinciding with the 2008 presidential elections, the Vote for School Lunch campaign gave kids the opportunity to vote for their own president – the President of School Lunch! During October 2008’s National School Lunch Week, students across the country enjoyed healthy and nutritious samples of each “candidate,” allowing them to make a well informed vote.
The Summit Award is highest honor bestowed by ASAE on associations that implement innovative community-based programs. The award is a part of the Association Advance America awards program. Summit Awards recognize the very best efforts of associations in areas such as public education, economic development, business and social innovation, and civic and volunteering activities. Selected from a field of 38 Award of Excellence winners, the Vote for School Lunch campaign is one of 6 recipients.
Highlights from the ASAE Summit Awards
September 28, 2009—Studies show that Americans’ tendency to read print newspapers is declining in favor of scanning news websites and watching television news programs. The economy is hitting the newspaper industry particularly hard, and the news is filled with the shuttering of many a legendary publication. So, 2009 might be more important than ever to celebrate National Newspaper Week (October 4-10)!
This is a terrific opportunity to show students the value of the written word and to highlight the long history of newspapers in influencing society. Promote this theme week with cafeteria decorations, such as photocopies of major headlines throughout the 20th century, or distribute local newspapers to students each day in advance of delivering a simple quiz about varying stories in the news—with a prize for the winner(s)—at the end of the week. (Ask your area paper if it will donate copies.)
For a twist on traditional menu items, offer options with catchy names, such as Roving Reporter Ravioli, Press Pass Potatoes and Copy Desk Cornbread. Visit the Crayola website for craft ideas to try with younger students.
National Newspaper Week- Kentucky Press Association
September 25, 2009 -- On Wednesday, September 23, SNF offered a “Webinar Wednesday” all about social media. So just what does this mean? Social media technologies allow users to interact, building relationships via two-way communication online. This recent webinar, titled School Lunch 2.0: How Websites like Facebook and Twitter can Revolutionize your School Nutrition Program, provided a wealth of information on how to use Facebook and Twitter, how students and parents use these sites, and specific considerations for integrating them into your school nutrition program within parameters established by your school district. The archive is now available at www.schoolnutrition.org/webinars along with several resources. The webinar can be downloaded and viewed free of charge. Participants can earn 1 CEU. Resources include:
SNF’s Webinar Wednesday online seminars began in 2008. Recent webinars have addressed food allergies, providing meals during H1N1-related school dismissals, breakfast programming, equipment procurement, and more. Thousands of individuals have participated in these events. Archives for past webinars as well as information on upcoming webinars are available at www.schoolnutrition.org/webinars.
Industry members and potential partners interested in more information about SNF’s Webinar Wednesdays can contact Julie Abrera at jabrera@schoolnutrition.org or (800) 877-8822 ext. 181.
September 24, 2009 – With the current Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act set to expire on September 30, 2009, Congress has passed a continuing resolution extending the federal child nutrition programs through October 31, 2009. While the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program are permanent programs, the continuing resolution would extend non-permanent programs such as the Summer Food Service Program and the After-School Snack Program. It is likely that this continuing resolution will expire before the Reauthorization Act is renewed. Should that occur, another continuing resolution will most likely be issued.
Congress is expected to begin work on the 2009 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act later this fall. In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, a number of bills have been introduced focusing on certain aspects of the school nutrition programs.
September 24, 2009 -- It’s that time again! September is the time for you to consider how you can use ANC 2010 to enhance your career or volunteer your time. ANC offers many opportunities for SNA members to share their professional expertise and gain national exposure. Here are a few ways that you can be involved in making ANC 2010 the premier school nutrition event of the year:
SNA is now accepting submissions for 1-hour concurrent breakout sessions through the ANC 2010 Call for Proposals through October 9, 2009. Access the form and instructions at: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/formANC.aspx?id=12614
SNA is also accepting proposals for pre-conference workshops. For more information, and to submit your proposal, contact SNA at bhanna@schoolnutrition.org.
Presiders introduce speakers during educational sessions and help SNA ensure that all sessions run smoothly. SNA will begin accepting applications for ANC Presiders in November.
Share successful practices within your program or school nutrition research by presenting a poster at ANC's Child Nutrition Showcase. SNA will be collecting poster ideas and abstracts beginning January 19, 2010 through March 12, 2010.
SNA is seeking local volunteers from Dallas and neighboring states to help SNA make ANC 2010 the best experience possible for all attendees. Hosts and hostesses volunteer approximately 8 hours throughout the conference in exchange for a small discount on registration. Hosts and hostesses provide assistance at a variety of functions including the education sessions, research “showcase”, culinary demonstrations, awards ceremonies, special events, and more. For more information, contact SNA at nhaliburton@schoolnutrition.org
SNA invites ANC exhibitors to apply for a limited number of opportunities to share culinary tips, techniques, and recipes with approximately 200 ANC attendees through culinary demonstrations held in the exhibit hall. The ANC 2010 culinary demonstration application will be available in September and applications will be accepted until December 4, 2009.
For more information on ANC 2010, visit: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Level2_ANC2010.aspx?id=12681
September 23, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA’s partnership with the National Dairy Council® and local Dairy Councils® and the National Football League on Fuel Up to Play 60, a new school-based program that empowers students to make smart choices about their nutrition and physical activity. SNA members who sign up for the program’s free wellness kits are playing a critical role in bringing this innovative campaign into school cafeterias. Wellness kits, available at www.SchoolWellnessKit.org, include colorful displays as well as online access to easy- to-implement activities. These were designed to inspire students to “fuel up” with the food groups kids don’t get enough of – low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to “get up and play” for 60 minutes a day. Fuel Up to Play 60 can be used to complement an existing school wellness program, or to help a school get started. "Childhood obesity is a very serious issue that endangers the long-term health and welfare of our nation's youngsters," said Vilsack. "To reverse this dangerous trend and give our kids the opportunity to eat smarter, exercise more and lessen their risk of disease, both the public and private sectors will have to work together to marshal their combined expertise and resources." SNA members can earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units) when implementing Fuel Up to Play. Complete information on how to earn CEUS for Fuel Up to Play 60 will be available in October. Enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year is underway and supplies are limited. To order a free kit (one per school) please sign up at www.SchoolWellnessKit.org.
September 22, 2009 - USA Today’s September 22, 2009 article, “GAO audit: Schools slow to get alerts about tainted food,” reports on a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study entitled “Changes to Federal Agencies’ Procedures Could Reduce Risk of School Children Consuming Recalled Food.” The report looks at USDA’s response time to notify school districts regarding potential food contamination. The report does not criticize individual school districts’ handling of food safety issues and instead examines the notification system between the USDA, state agencies, and school nutrition programs. Four members of Congress requested the report.
The School Nutrition Association and its members nationwide have made food safety a priority, and have taken steps through food safety standards and practices in schools, as well as federal advocacy, to protect the wellness of America’s school children.
Please visit the link below for talking points.
Talking Points on Food Safety in the School Nutrition Programs
September 16, 2009—The Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards program is extending its call for nominations to September 30, 2009. Nominations are being taken online and via a downloadable form at www.fameawards.net.
Eligible nominees include members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) that are in good standing. Six categories will be awarded, including one Gold Award for School Foodservice Director of the Year and five Silver Awards: Leadership, Spirit, Rising Star, Special Achievement and Friend of Child Nutrition.
The program will honor this year’s winners at an event scheduled for January 10, 2010 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., during SNA’s Child Nutrition Industry Conference.
For 20 years, the FAME Awards have been honoring school nutrition professionals who raise professional standards by stepping up to challenges within their school districts and communities. This prestigious program is sponsored by Basic American Foods, Schwan’s Food Service, Inc. and Tyson Foods, Inc.
Don't Delay! Name Someone for FAME
FAME Awards
September 16, 2009—Preparing for a disaster probably doesn’t make the list of the most enjoyable topics to contemplate, and a 2006 study conducted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute on schools’ levels of disaster preparedness found that, while 86% of respondents had a mass casualty response plan, only 57% had a written plan designed to prevent such an event, and just 25% had a plan for post-disaster counseling. You should have a plan in place to ensure that your staff and students stay as safe as possible in an emergency.
September is National Preparedness Month, and with a new school year underway, there’s no time like the present to develop an emergency plan for your operation. Visit www.ready.gov for helpful planning tools, including tips for developing emergency plans and a suggested list of emergency supplies. Also, see www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1183486267373.shtm for resources and information for disaster preparedness strategies specifically for schools, including planning and training materials.
U.S. Department of Education- Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities
September 15, 2009 -- SNF and Winston Industries are pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the third annual Winston Industries Equipment Award Grant program.
One school district in need of improving its school meal kitchen facilities will receive 10 pieces of equipment from Winston.
This year the application process will be online! To learn more about the program and to access the application, please visit:
Winston Industries Equipment Award
The application deadline is October 23, 2009 – don’t delay!
September 10, 2009 -- SNA’s Call for Proposals for the 2010 Annual National Conference in Dallas will close on October 9, 2009. Submit your proposal to present a 1-hour concurrent breakout session through the ANC 2010 Call for Proposals website at: ANC Dallas Call for Proposals Proposals will be selected this fall based on the programming priorities of the SNA Annual National Conference Steering Committee. Notification for all proposals will be sent via email in January 2010.
At ANC 2009, SNA posted handouts online instead of providing paper handouts to attendees. SNA will do this again for ANC 2010. SNA’s educational policies also state that all presentations are subject to review prior to ANC. Speakers that are selected for the final program will be asked to submit the final presentation for review and posting in March 2010.
September 10, 2009 -- The Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) has changed the nomination process for the 2010 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition (GWLAA). The GWLAA Selection Panel will nominate a candidate for approval by the GCNF Board of Directors. This prestigious award is presented each March to an individual who has contributed in an exemplary way through their lifetime achievements toward helping the world's poorest children receive adequate nutrition, thrive, and to reach their full potential. Senator George McGovern first awarded the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award to Gene White in 2004 at the inaugural A Possible Dream Gala in Washington, DC. Other past recipients of the award include Senator George McGovern, Senator Bob Dole, Dr. Josephine Martin, The Honorable Catherine Bertini, Edward Cooney and Marshall Matz. The 2010 award will be presented at the Foundation’s 7th Annual A Possible Dream Gala to be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
September 9, 2009 - The Senate appointed Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) today. Replacing him as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). Harkin replaces the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).
Lincoln is the first woman to be named chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. She has served on the committee since her election to the Senate in 1998. In 2004, Lincoln founded the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus, which focuses the Senate’s attention to the hunger that exists in this country. As chair of the committee, Lincoln will oversee consideration of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act this fall.
September 9, 2009 -- Given the current state of the U.S. economy, a college education may be more important than ever to gaining valuable skills to apply in the workforce—and more difficult to attain than ever. This year, approximately 19 million students are enrolled in the nation’s colleges and universities, and those who attend in-state, public, four-year institutions face an average annual bill of $14,915 for tuition, room and board, according to 2007-08 figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
That sticker price is more than double the cost paid by parents who sent a child to college two decades ago in 1990. Imagine what the costs will be for the students who started elementary school this fall? Experts at www.savingforcollege.com estimate that a 1-year-old will pay more than $175,600 to complete a four-year degree program.
Fortunately, there is some good news. Families who plan ahead to save and invest for their children’s college education—rather than relying exclusively on loans at the time of enrollment—can cut the total cost by more than half! Numerous websites and services are available to help you consider your options. For example, a 529 Plan allows you to save money in an account in which the amount accrued is not taxed and, when used to pay for higher-education expenses, can be withdrawn tax-free.
Why not use the month of September, which happens to be College Savings Month, to learn more about available options? Visit www.collegesavings.org for more information (including tips on saving in tough economic conditions) and www.savingforcollege.com/college-savings-calculator (for a savings calculator).
College Savings Plans Network- College Savings Month
September 8, 2009 -- The Child Nutrition and Fitness Initiative Breakfast Grant is sponsored by General Mills as part of a partnership effort with National Dairy Council® to help improve student access to high-quality, nutritious foods at school. NDC and General Mills have just announced the availability of Child Nutrition and Fitness Initiative Breakfast Grants of up to $3,000. This grant specifically targets breakfast, providing funds to help schools improve or expand their breakfast programs. The grants target schools seeking to improve breakfast specifically by increasing student access to and consumption of nutrient-rich low-fat and non-fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and other breakfast items. The grant application must be submitted online by September 30, 2009. To access the application please visit, Child Nutrition and Fitness Initiative Breakfast Grant.
Any U.S. school (grades K-12) participating in the USDA National School Breakfast Program and meeting the terms in the application is eligible to apply for a Child Nutrition Breakfast Grant (excluding CA, OR, HI). Grant applicant schools must be enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and agree to participate fully by displaying the Fuel Up to Play 60 Activation Kit materials and encouraging students to track their healthy eating and physical activity online.
September 3, 2009 -- The makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings have announced the fourth annual Love Your Veggies™ grant program, an initiative that will provide $10,000 grants to 10 public elementary schools in the United States to support increased access to and consumption of fresh produce during school meals. The Love Your Veggies™ grant program is sponsored by the makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings in partnership with School Nutrition Foundation (SNF). Visit www.LoveYourVeggies.com for complete information, including the 2009 application.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Hidden Valley® Love Your Veggies™ grant program has awarded $750,000 to elementary schools throughout the country for the implementation of fresh fruit and vegetable programs. Schools can apply for a grant through Nov. 6, 2009 by visiting LoveYourVeggies.com. Schools will be notified of their award status by Feb. 15, 2010. A public announcement of all 10 winners will be made in April 2010.
The makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings know that getting children to eat more vegetables is a concern for many parents, and studies show that about 96 percent of children two to 12 years of age fall short of the recommended 2-5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day.1 Findings from the following studies further inspired the development of the program:
The Relevance of Ranch: A study that found children tend to consume more vegetables when paired with a moderate amount of ranch dressing.2 Another study suggested that consuming a moderate amount of fat with vegetables/salads may be beneficial to the body’s ability to adequately absorb fat-soluble nutrients3.
Getting Kids Involved in the Process: In a study of 600 school-aged children taking part in a nutrition curriculum intended to increase vegetables and whole grains consumption researchers at Teachers College at Columbia University found that children who helped cook their own foods were more likely to eat those foods in the cafeteria, and even ask for seconds.4
Making Veggie Eating Fun at Home: Parents participating in a home-based intervention program about fruits and vegetables led to increased knowledge and availability of both in the home, which was in turn a significant predictor of their children’s increased consumption.5
Making a Difference in the Lunchroom with a grant program: The 2004 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act required school districts to design and implement local school wellness policies. There is an overwhelming shortage of funds available for the execution of these programs and schools struggle to implement them successfully.
Produce for better Health Foundation and ACNielsen; State of the Plate; 2005.
2006 study of two Northern California elementary schools conducted by the University of California Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Butte County Cooperative Extension.
“Carotenoid bioavailability is higher from salads ingested with full-fat than with fat-reduced salad dressings as measured with electrochemical detection.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004): 396-403.
“Do you want your children to try new foods? Try keeping them in the kitchen.” Teacher College at Columbia University. 15 Sept. 2008 .
“High 5 for Kids: The impact of a home visiting program on fruit and vegetable intake of parents and their preschool children.” Preventive Medicine 9 Apr. 2008.
www.loveyourveggies.com
www.schoolnutrition.org/snf
September 3 2009 -- SNF has convened an expert panel for our next Wednesday Webinar, on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 2:30 EDT. This webinar is free of charge. Participants can earn one CEU toward SNA certification. For complete information, including registration and speakers, visit http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Content.aspx?id=12947.
If you haven’t heard the buzz yet, you will. “Social media” websites like Facebook and Twitter are taking the internet by storm. Facebook is already the 4th most popular website in the world! Learn what all the fuss is about by joining the School Nutrition Foundation’s expert panel as they discuss how you can use social media both personally and professionally. It’s not as difficult as you might think! We’ll walk you through how to sign up and get started. You’ll get tips from an educational policy expert on how to navigate your school district’s technology arena, and we’ll even share how the SNA, SNF and the Global Child Nutrition Foundation are using social media to improve our online offerings. Reserve your seat today and prepare to take your school nutrition program to the next level with social media. Remember – space is limited, so sign up today!
Webinar WednesdaysSchool Nutrition Foundation
September 2, 2009—Given how much of our lives we spend working, it makes sense that we want our time at work to be as smooth as possible, from our interactions with colleagues to the personnel evaluations we receive—and in some cases, perform—to feeling productive and comfortable in the overall office environment. The September issue of School Nutrition, SNA’s award-winning flagship publication, provides guidance for how employees at all levels can make the most out of their time in the workplace.
Through sample workplace conflict scenarios, “War & Peace” offers conflict resolution strategies and reminders.
As “The Reviews Are In!” details, the performance review process can be involved and at times, anxiety-producing. Employees and managers alike can benefit from some practical tips and suggestions that they can keep in mind when evaluation time comes around.
This issue also showcases the memorable moments from this year’s Annual National Conference in Las Vegas in “Bright Lights, Major Content.” If you were unable to attend, catch up on the conference happenings, or if you were a conference participant, take another look at the highlights.
School Nutrition – September 2009
September 1, 2009—Time is running out to nominate school nutrition industry leaders for a national Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Award. For 21 years, the FAME Awards have recognized innovators in the profession who raise the school nutrition bar for others to follow. These individuals have triumphed over challenges and provided insightful and innovative solutions to issues within their school districts and communities. The nomination deadline is September 18, 2009.
“As I visit school districts across the country, I am always amazed at the talented and creative directors and professionals who lead our programs. As a past FAME winner, I remember how appreciated I felt that someone took the time to recognize my efforts by submitting me for an award,” recounts SNA President Dora Rivas, SNS.
“I challenge each of you to take the time to honor someone who has impressed and inspired you with their quality program,” Rivas urges. “Let's let those talented directors know how much they are appreciated by your nomination of them. They are the ones who are ‘Passing on....the future of school nutrition’ in inspiring excellence in foodservice management".
Six categories will be awarded, including one Gold Award for School Foodservice Director of the Year and five Silver Awards: Leadership, Spirit, Rising Star, Special Achievement and Friend of Child Nutrition. The selection committee is made up of 2009 FAME Award winners and industry media partners.
The cliché, “it’s an honor just to be nominated” certainly holds true—and that honor also extends to those who write the nominations! “The FAME Awards represent all that’s great about our industry,” says Michael Pollard, of the Hobart Corporation. “Nominating the eventual 2008 Golden School Foodservice Director of the Year Award winner enabled the recipient [Susan Woods, Forsyth County, Ga.] to receive the recognition she richly deserved, while allowing the growth of our relationship, was an uptick in my professional development, and a new high in our overall industry involvement.”
This sentiment is echoed by Tony Roberts, principal of The Tony Roberts Company, who has written several winning nominations: “I took the time to nominate people for FAME awards because it is a way for me to give back to an industry and a group of people that enabled me to have a successful career. By successful I don't just mean being able to put a roof over my head, but one that is emotionally and intellectually satisfying as well.”
Roberts, a past FAME winner himself, adds, “I know what winning this award means; in fact, most winners I have met or nominated tell me that they didn’t understand the prestige of the award until they won. It is also great to achieve some recognition for a person that truly deserves it, but does his or her job never seeking recognition.”
Nominating an individual FAME is also a great way to get to know a peer, a customer and the school nutrition profession better, says Lisa Pline, of RPA Food Service Sales. “Nominating one of my best directors for a FAME award was a great experience. I learned more about her operation than I ever would have otherwise, and I increased my value to her as a true partner in the promotion of school nutrition. It was a true joy to see her shine on stage,” she recounts.
Nominations will be taken online or via a downloadable form at www.fameawards.net until September 18, 2009. Eligible nominees include SNA members in good standing. With each valid nomination, the nominator will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Visa gift card in the amount of $100, $50 or $25. See the FAME website for official rules.
This year’s FAME Awards ceremony will be held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on January 10, 2010, during the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) Child Nutrition Industry Conference (CNIC). The FAME awards program is sponsored with generous support by Basic American Foods, Schwan’s Food Service and Tyson Foods, Inc.