Next week, I, along with dozens of staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will have the pleasure of joining thousands of school nutrition professionals, members of the public health community, and food industry representatives in Boston at the 68th Annual National Conference of the School Nutrition Association (SNA). This annual event provides an opportunity for stakeholders in the school nutrition community to network, gain ideas, and learn from one another.
As a past president of SNA myself, I look forward to this meeting each year. Being surrounded by dedicated nutrition professionals who all want to make sure we are providing the best possible support to our nation’s children, and hearing about all the creative approaches schools are using to successfully serve healthy school meals is quite a treat. I am excited to be able to meet with members of the community one-on-one, and hear firsthand about their successes, as well as their challenges. I also look forward to speaking to the larger audience during the second general session on Tuesday. My USDA colleagues will be on-hand throughout the conference to gather more feedback and provide additional information, technical assistance and other support to school nutrition professionals.
If you are going to be joining us at the SNA conference this year, USDA staff will be available to meet with school officials and answer questions at the following sessions:
Saturday, July 12, 2014
| TIME | ROOM | SESSION TITLE |
| 1:00-5:00PM | 255 | Pre-Conference: Meeting Training Requirements for Professional Standards |
Sunday, July 13, 2014
| TIME | ROOM | SESSION TITLE |
| 12:00-1:00PM | 156ABC | No More Applications: Community Eligibility Can Transform Your Schools |
| 12:00-1:00PM | 160ABC | Energizing Your Students with School Breakfast and Lunch |
| 12:00-1:00PM | 253AB | Don’t Get Salty: How to Reduce Sodium in Your Menus |
| 1:15-2:15PM | 156ABC | REPEAT: No More Applications: Community Eligibility Can Transform Your Schools |
| 1:15-2:15PM | 160ABC | REPEAT: Energizing Your Students with School Breakfast and Lunch |
| 1:15-2:15PM | 253AB | REPEAT: Don’t Get Salty: How to Reduce Sodium in Your Menus |
Monday, July 14, 2014
| TIME | ROOM | SESSION TITLE |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 253C | Double Up Your Gold Stars |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 156ABC | Community Eligibility: Success in Year 1 |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 253AB | Professional Standards are Coming: Are You Ready? |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 161 | How USDA Foods Support Domestic Agriculture and Where’s the Fruit |
| 3:30-4:30PM | 253AB | Talking with Parents & Students about Healthier Foods at School |
| 3:30-4:30PM | 161 | REPEAT: How USDA Foods Support Domestic Agriculture and Where’s the Fruit |
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
| TIME | ROOM | SESSION TITLE |
| 10:00-11:00AM | 156ABC | Food Allergies: Think Smarter, Not Harder |
| 10:00-11:00AM | 252AB | USDA Food Games |
| 12:00-2:00PM | 212 | State Agency Section Meeting – USDA Update |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 156ABC | Serving Up Smart Snacks in Schools |
| 2:15-3:15PM | 253AB | REPEAT: Professional Standards are Coming: Are You Ready? |
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
| TIME | ROOM | SESSION TITLE |
| 1:30-2:30PM | 156ABC | Produce Specifications: The Devil's in the Details |
| 1:30-2:30PM | 252AB | Creating Menus with USDA Foods |
| 2:45-3:45PM | 153ABC | REPEAT: Serving Up Smart Snacks in Schools |
| 2:45-3:45PM | 161 | The True Value of USDA Foods |
| 2:45-3:45PM | 156ABC | USDA Foods as a Resource for Buying Local |
| 2:45-3:45PM | 157ABC | School Gardens 101 |
USDA will also provide resources to schools and have staff available for one-on-one discussions about USDA Foods, Farm to School, Team Nutrition programs, access to training, Smarter Lunchroom strategies, and other school meal topics at several booths on “USDA Lane” in the SNA Exhibit Hall.