About the Public Policy & Legislation Committee
What is the Public Policy & Legislation Committee?
The Public Policy & Legislation Committee (PPL) supports SNA’s mission and vision by recommending and advocating Child Nutrition program public policy positions for the Association, responding to regulatory and legislative initiatives, informing SNA members about policy issues and activating the Association’s grassroots network.
What are the Committee Responsibilities?
- Evaluates, interprets, recommends and responds to federal legislation and regulations.
- Prepares and disseminates policy, legislative and regulatory information in an accurate and timely manner.
- Implements Association’s multi-year Legislative Action Plan.
- Ensures membership is informed on current legislation, with the help of the headquarters liaison.
- Develops legislative policy and positions for approval of the Board.
- Assists state affiliates in the development of legislative strategies and plans of action.
- Reports state legislative concerns and activities.
- Assists in planning the Legislative Action Conference program.
- Prepares and presents appropriate education and information sessions at SNA’s major annual conferences.
Meet Our Members

Committee Chair
Nicole Melia
Norristown Area School District
Norristown, PA

Mid-Atlantic Region
Toni Bowman, MBA, RDN, SNS
Pomptonian Food Service
Fairfield, NJ

Midwest Region
Kaitlin Tauriainen
Ashwaubenon School District
Green Bay, WI

Northeast Region
Megan Bates, SNS
Capital Region BOCES
Albany, NY

Mountain Plains Region
Jennifer Peifer, SNS
Douglas County School District
Castle Rock, CO

Southeast Region
Lauren Weyand, MDA, RDN, LDN
Craven County Schools
New Bern, NC

Southwest Region
Stephanie Walker Hynes, SNS
Little Rock School District
Little Rock, AR

Western Region
Dr. Betty Crocker, SNS
Lodi Unified School District
Lodi, CA

Member At Large
Ruchi Favreau
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
Kansas City, KS

State Agency Advisor
Robert Leshin, MPA
MA DESE
Everett, MA

Industry Advisor
Carole Erb
J.T.M. Food Group
Harrison, OH

Board Advisor
Stephanie Dillard, MS, SNS
Enterprise City Schools
Enterprise, AL

Board Advisor
Ashley Powell, PhD, RD, SNS, FAND
Auburn City Schools
Auburn, AL

Board Advisor
Lynelle Johnson, MPA, RD, SNS
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Bismarck, ND

Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Montague, FASAE, CAE
School Nutrition Assoc.
Arlington, VA