With characteristic DETERMINATION, INNOVATION and RESILIENCE, school nutrition professionals mark a milestone year.

It could be argued that the pandemic unfairly eclipsed focus on the 75th year of both the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). Beyond the monthly reflection articles (page 36) in this magazine, there’s been scant attention paid to this impressive benchmark. And yet, there’s something entirely appropriate about this consequence, because for 75 years, school nutrition professionals have always been about what they could do in the present to ensure a positive future. Memories of the past are nice— and usually affirming—but they take a backseat to the needs of the moment.

While COVID-19 was a tragic and destructive world event that no one wants to celebrate or live through again, it proves a fitting reflection of this profession and this organization’s 75-year history of triumph in the face of trial, determination to prevail, creativity in problem-solving and an unwavering commitment to children. Let’s look in the mirror...