SNA has always carried forward a simple but powerful belief: That children deserve to be fed, that the professionals who feed them deserve respect and that there will always be someone willing to show up. This is that story.

Where It Began

In 1946, World War II had just ended. Military leaders were alarmed to discover many young men were being rejected from service due to malnutrition, a direct result of childhood hunger. Congress responded with the National School Lunch Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 4, 1946.

The Act made permanent federal support for school lunches “to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s children.” That same year, two professional organizations merged to form the School Food Service Association (SFSA), now known as SNA. Within a year, 709 members joined. By November, 478 traveled to Dallas for the first national conference, themed “Health Education Through Food Service.” 39 companies exhibited, some still recognized today. The profession finally had a home...