Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Sunday, March 8, 9:45 am-10:45 am

Breakfast after the Bell: What’s New and What’s Next

Speaker(s): Etienne Melcher Philbin, FRAC; Sarah Murphy Youssef, SNF
Looking to build support for school breakfast programs across your state and expand breakfast service in your district? Come learn about the latest state-level breakfast after the bell legislation, pick up tips to advocate for breakfast legislation with your state legislature and find out about new tools and strategies to successfully implement an after the bell model in your district.

Culinary Creations: Kid-Tested, Kid-Approved

Speaker(s): Shelly Copeland, RD, SNS; Shenae Rowe, RDN
Looking for new ideas to freshen up your school menus and boost student participation? Come hear from two school nutrition directors who have given their menus (and marketing strategies!) a makeover. Even little changes can have a big impact on student satisfaction and Average Daily Participation, so let’s get started!

LAC 101: Strategies for Successful Hill Visits

Speaker(s): Noah Atlas, SNS; Jessica Gould, SNS; Lynelle Grumbles, PhD, RD, SNS; Wendy Weyer, RD, SNS
Is this your first-time attending LAC? Then this breakout session is definitely the one for you! We are here to welcome you and your fellow first timers to our 2020 Legislative Action Conference (LAC)! This session has been designed to answer all questions about LAC and your upcoming advocacy visits. You will be introduced to SNA’s legislative activity and will receive several strategic tips that will help prepare you to “Charge the Hill” and get you excited about getting involved!

Sustainable Solutions for Implementing & Communicating Successful Meal Charge
and Bad Debt Policies in Your District

Speaker(s): Lori Adkins, MS, RD; Melanie Brummeler, MA, RDN, SNS; Carolyn Thomas, SNS
Well communicated school meal charge and bad debt policies that are understood by all stakeholder groups takes shaming out of the lunchroom for kids and the food service professionals that serve them. In this panel session, sustainable solutions for communication strategies, tackling school meal debt and local control best practices for policy development will be shared by a panel of food service consultants and a State Agency expert in Michigan.

Industry Exchange, Part 1: Director Panel - Thoughts on New Proposed Rules
on School and Summer Meal Flexibilities (Industry only)

Moderators: Jeremy Loch, President, Heartland School Solutions; Nancy Lane, Director of Merchandising, Lakeside Manufacturing
Panelists: TBD
The USDA’s announcement in January of two proposed rules on school and summer meal flexibilities will have an impact on how schools do menu planning, purchasing product and much more. Join us as we explore the key issues and how they might impact school feeding programs.

State Agency Section Meeting, Part 1 (State Agency only)

Speaker(s): June Barrett Owen, RDN, SNS; USDA Representatives
A must for state agency directors and staff, this discussion will bring together USDA representatives to discuss what’s new in the world of school nutrition programs. Receive the latest updates on hot topics such as research outcomes, food waste, procurement and more.

Sunday, March 8, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Overcoming HR Hurdles

Speaker(s): Cheryl Jones, SNS; Alyssia Wright, EdS; Ken Yant
One of the most challenging aspects of our jobs in school nutrition is dealing with HR issues. We all have them but how do we deal with them? In this panel session, three districts will share their strategies and best practices in dealing with some common HR challenges such as hiring and training, staffing, professional development and management training and development.

Red State, Blue State: Building an Advocacy Program for Both Sides of the Aisle

Speaker(s): Sean McBride; Bernie Merritt
We live in an era of political upheaval, but the work of state governments goes on despite the chaos. Most states have divided government with different political parties in control of the governor’s mansion or one of two chambers of the state house. Add to that the fact that neither Republicans nor Democrats are a monolithic voting block with social conservatives on one end of the spectrum and liberal progressives on the other. How can school meals advocates move their agenda forward in red states, blue states or when divided government creates gridlock? This session will provide participants with strategies and tools for successfully navigating a partisan landscape to achieve their school meals policy goals.

Sustainable Solutions for Implementing & Communicating Successful Meal Charge
and Bad Debt Policies in Your District (Repeat)

Speaker(s): Lori Adkins, MS, RD; Melanie Brummeler, MA, RDN, SNS; Carolyn Thomas, SNS
Well communicated school meal charge and bad debt policies that are understood by all stakeholder groups takes shaming out of the lunchroom for kids and the food service professionals that serve them. In this panel session, sustainable solutions for communication strategies, tackling school meal debt and local control best practices for policy development will be shared by a panel of food service consultants and a State Agency expert in Michigan.

Taking the Fear Out of CEP: Just Do It!

Speaker(s): Heather Hopwood, MPH; Susan Maffe, MS, RD, SNS
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) can increase student participation, decrease administrative burdens and eliminate stigma in the school cafeteria, but many districts have hesitated to take the leap due to financial concerns and other barriers. Find out how to overcome these hurdles through careful planning and an incremental approach.

Industry Exchange, Part 2 (Industry only)

Moderators: Jeremy Loch, President, Heartland School Solutions and Nancy Lane, Director of Merchandising, Lakeside Manufacturing
Panelists: TBD
The USDA’s announcement in January of two proposed rules on school and summer meal flexibilities will have an impact on how schools do menu planning, purchasing product and much more. Join us as we explore the key issues and how they might impact school feeding programs.

State Agency, Part 2 (State Agency only)

Speaker(s): June Barrett Owen, RDN, SNS; USDA Representatives
A must for state agency directors and staff, this discussion will bring together USDA representatives to discuss what’s new in the world of school nutrition programs. Receive the latest updates on hot topics such as research outcomes, food waste, procurement and more.