SNA News

In a letter to USDA, SNA called for an extension of COVID-19 feeding waivers through next school year and universal meals to ensure schools can meet children’s critical nutrition needs this fall.

A new SNA survey highlights expansive efforts to provide needy students safe access to school meals during COVID-19 closures, but also reveals significant concerns about the financial sustainability of school meal programs.

SNA expressed strong support for The Heroes Act, which includes $3 billion in emergency funding to help school meal programs cover costs associated with COVID-19 school closures.

SNA has named Jose Quinones, National School Business Development Manager for J.T.M. Food Group, as the national Industry Member of the Year.

SNF has awarded the first in a series of grants to support emergency school feeding operations. Thanks to support pledged by GENYOUth and National Dairy Council, SNF’s “Help Feed School Kids Now!” campaign will build on this success.

SNA honors the winners of SNA’s annual national award program and recognizes the widespread efforts of school nutrition professionals to ensure needy students have access to healthy meals during COVID-19 closures.

SNA and United Fresh Produce Association have partnered to connect produce distributors to school foodservice authorities requesting single-serve, individually wrapped produce as part of their COVID-19 meal distributions.

SNA is urging USDA to restore school meal flexibilities vacated by the April 13th federal district court ruling on USDA’s 2018 Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements.

SNF has announced winners of its 2020 Equipment Grant Program. Four school nutrition professionals are each being awarded up to $65,000 worth of equipment to benefit their school meal programs.

SNF has launched the “Help Feed School Kids Now!” fundraising campaign to support school nutrition professionals’ emergency feeding operations during COVID-19 school closures. 

SNA surveyed school meal program director members to collect feedback and assess efforts to serve needy students during coronavirus-related school closures. The feedback revealed widespread efforts underway to continue some form of meal service for students during closures, but also highlighted numerous concerns and regulatory challenges as schools nationwide face extended closures.

In a letter sent to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Perdue, SNA outlined proactive measures to maintain student access to healthy meals in the event of widespread coronavirus-related school closures.