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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner

703-576-7526

media@schoolnutrition.org

ARLINGTON, VA – More than 5,000 school nutrition professionals from across the country are headed to Orlando, FL, for School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) Annual National Conference (ANC), July 10-12. On the heels of Congress passing The Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022, ANC will provide school meal program operators strategies to manage ongoing supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, rising costs and the loss of a federal waiver, which prevents schools from offering free meals to all students in School Year 2022-23.

For the first time since July 2019, ANC returns in-person with the nation’s largest exhibit hall in school nutrition, connecting attendees with vendors to discuss product availability, sample foods and beverages and preview equipment, technology and resources. More than 100 ANC education and culinary skills sessions will share best practices on addressing challenges and improving meal services and menus for students.

Media wishing to attend ANC must contact Diane Pratt-Heavner at media@schoolnutrition.org to register for the conference. Media guests must meet the published Press Registration Policies.

ANC highlights include:

  • The largest Exhibit Hall in the school nutrition industry with exhibits from more than 300 companies, partner organizations and US Department of Agriculture divisions. Exhibitors will sample low-sodium entrees and whole grain foods; demo equipment to improve labor efficiency and software to help eligible families apply for free and reduced-price meals; and showcase marketing materials to promote healthy school meals.
  • Education sessions providing strategies for minimizing product shortages, improving staff recruitment and retention, accommodating food allergies and special diets, and addressing unpaid meal debt; and menu solutions such as incorporating spices to boost flavor, reduce sodium and expand cultural diversity in school meals.
  • Culinary Skills Labs, hosted by SNA’s Chefs Task Force, offering tips on preparing, cooking, serving and garnishing school meals for maximum student appeal.
  • Culinary Demonstrations featuring innovative school recipes such as Mandarin Orange Dumplings, Cheesy Chicken Paprikash and Lemon-Dill Yogurt Dipping Sauce.
  • General Session Speakers including Duncan Wardle, Former Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney; and Shayla Rivera, Aerospace Engineer and former NASA Rocket Scientist.

On June 25, President Biden signed The Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022, a bipartisan compromise bill to support school meal programs with critical funds and regulatory flexibility when federal pandemic waivers expire on June 30. Starting on July 1, eligible families must submit free and reduced-price meal application forms to their schools to receive meal benefits. All other families must pay full price for their meals. SNA continues to advocate for supporting school meal programs and offering free meals to all students as part of their education.

About the School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 50,000 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 about ANC, visit anc.schoolnutrition.org.

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