School Nutrition Professionals Seek Program Support & Simplification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner

703-576-7526

media@schoolnutrition.org

School Nutrition Professionals Seek Program Support & Simplification

2019-02-22

SNA’s Legislative Action Conference, Feb. 24-26, Marriott Marquis, DC

WASHINGTON, DC – Next week, approximately 900 school nutrition professionals from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to minimize regulatory burdens and bolster school meal programs to benefit the nearly 30 million students served each day.

As part of School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) 47^th annual  Legislative Action Conference (Feb. 24-26), school meal program operators will meet with Members of Congress to discuss  SNA’s 2019 Position Paper and the importance of school meals to student achievement.

To attend LAC, contact Diane Pratt-Heavner at 703-576-7526 or media@schoolnutrition.org. Follow the discussion at #lac19.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and other USDA officials will address LAC attendees on Monday and provide updates on federal regulations for school meal programs. Attendees will participate in education sessions and panel discussions to support their efforts to strengthen school meal programs. Featured LAC speakers also include presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and former Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Trent Lott (R-MS).

“Every school day, school meals fuel the academic success and support the health and wellness of America’s students,” said SNA President Gay Anderson, SNS. “Congress and USDA must continue to support school meal programs and streamline burdensome regulatory requirements so school nutrition professionals can focus on their mission of serving students.”

SNA’s Position Paper recognizes efforts by Congress and the Administration to address operational challenges for school meal programs. SNA supported USDA’s final rule on school meal flexibilities for providing commonsense flexibility under whole grain and sodium rules, while maintaining strong nutrition standards to benefit students.

About School Nutrition Association: 
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 58,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students.  For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.