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SNA Releases 2022 Position Paper

2022-01-11

School nutrition professionals in urgent need of child nutrition waiver extensions 

ARLINGTON, VA – The non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) is calling on Congress to immediately extend pandemic child nutrition waivers through School Year (SY) 2022/23 and take steps to permanently support school meal programs severely impacted by supply chain, financial and regulatory challenges. These requests are part of SNA’s 2022 Position Paper, outlining the legislative priorities for the Association in the new year. 

“Amid pandemic uncertainties, school meals have remained a reliable source of nourishment for America’s students, supporting their health and achievement, while combatting food insecurity,” said SNA President Beth Wallace, MBA, SNS. “However, persistent pandemic challenges threaten the stability of child nutrition programs that millions of American families depend on. Congress must take action to restore the financial and operational sustainability of school meal programs for the students they serve.” 

School nutrition directors are already writing bids and placing orders for SY 2022/23 menus. As widespread issues with discontinued school menu items, shortages and higher prices wreak havoc on the bid process, the 2022 Position Paper stresses the urgent need to provide school meal programs and their suppliers with the assurance of waiver extensions. The Paper also calls for long-term changes to child nutrition programs, including an increase to reimbursements for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, permanently offering all students healthy, free school meals to support academic achievement, easing rules on sodium, whole grains and milk, and reducing regulatory burdens

In March, school nutrition professionals from across the country will meet with their Members of Congress to discuss SNA’s 2022 Position Paper, as part of the 50th annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC). 

About 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 on school meals, visit 
www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals

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