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On the Road to the School Nutrition Association Conference

Posted by Dr. Janey Thornton, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services in Food and Nutrition
Jul 11, 2014

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.

Category/Topic: Food and Nutrition