About the Nutrition & Research Committee

What is the Nutrition & Research Committee?

The Nutrition & Research Committee supports SNA’s mission and vision by evaluating, interpreting and formulating recommendations related to initiatives and standards for school nutrition programs. In addition, the committee is responsible for identifying research opportunities, disseminating information on research activities, supporting the Journal of Child Nutrition & Management and promoting research activities and professional development among members.

What are the Committee Responsibilities?

  • Identify, evaluate and interpret nutrition and operational trends and developments impacting school nutrition programs in order to:
    • Inform and support advocacy positions for Public Policy & Legislative Committee.
    • Work with Public Policy & Legislative Committee in preparing official responses to USDA/FDA nutrition-related rules and regulations and submits to the Board of Directors for approval.
    • Articulate and translate evidence-based findings about school nutrition and related issues to SNA and practitioners.
    • Recommend applied research and nutrition topics needed to support school nutrition programs for which the School Nutrition Foundation can seek funding.
    • Assist in identifying appropriate nutrition and research related webinars and conference sessions for SNA to host in the coming year.
  • Assist with nutrition and research-related grants being drafted by the School Nutrition Foundation by conceptualizing and drafting content and reviewing final documents.
  • Advise and promote the Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.
  • Identifies opportunities to advance careers in school nutrition on college campuses.
  • Advise on relevant resources to include on SNA’s website.
  • Advise and assist the College Section Chair on SN Showcase and College Section meeting at SNA’s Annual National Conference.

Meet Our Members

Headshot of Laura Swier
Committee Chair
Laura Swier, RD, LN
Brookings SD
Brookings, SD
Headshot of Terina Edington
Nutrition Expertise
Terina Edington, SNS
Jefferson County SD
Louisville, KY
Headshot of Erika Edwards
Nutrition Expertise
Erika Edwards, SNS
Jefferson County SD
Lakewood, CO
Headshot of Deirdre Moyer
Practitioner
Dr. Deirdre Moyer
Rockingham County Public Schools
Eden, NC
Headshot of Margaret DeBlasi
Practitioner
Margaret DeBlasi, RD, SNS
Franklin Township Public Schools
Somerset, NJ
Headshot of Alice Jo Rainville
University Foodservice Mgt.
Alice Jo Rainville, PhD, RD, SNS
Eastern Michigan University
Plymouth, MI
Headshot of Sarah Martinelli
University Nutrition
Sarah Martinelli, MS, RD, SNS
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ
Headshot of Miriam Crosby
Industry
Miriam Crosby
The Peanut Institute
Albany, GA
Member Placeholder
College Section Chair
Laura-Zelda Villarreal, SNS
UT Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX
JCN&M Editor
Susan Arendt, PhD, RD, FAND
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Headshot of Marjuyua Lartey
ICN Representative
Marjuyua Lartey, PhD, RD
Institute of Child Nutrition
Hattiesburg, MS
Headshot of Linda Aguilar
Board Advisor
Lindsay Aguilar, RD, SNS
Tucson Unified School District Schools
Tucson, AZ
Staff Advisor
Donovan Lessard
School Nutrition Assoc.
Arlington, VA