Minnesota School Nutrition Association

With over 2,700 state members and industry partners, the professionals of he Minnesota School Nutrition Association are working hard to help children by advancing school nutrition programs. Together, we can made a difference - in our communities, our state and nation.

U of Minnesota study says confusion reigns over whole-grain claims in school lunches
While most nutrition experts agree that school lunches should include more whole-grain products, a new study from the University of Minnesota finds that food-service workers lack understanding and the resources to meet that goal.
Click here to read more

Video Crew visits the Cafeteria Makeover Winner,Glenville- Emmons Cafeteria!
A video crew visited Glenville-Emmons High School Tuesday to get the first part of a video on the Extreme Cafeteria Makeover that will be shown at conferences across the country. MSNA President Jean Ronnei, Learning ZoneXpress, Melanie Nelson and project coordinator Sarah Carroll were interviewed. To read more on the on the video making and work being completed Click here

From Channel 3 in Mason City Iowa Channel 3
Click to read more and view video

From Channel 6, KAAL in Rochester
Click here to read more and view video

MSNA will be hosting the SNA-School Nutrition Specialist Credentialing Exam
The exam will be held August 2, 2009 at the Annual conference in Duluth. Pre-Registration is required.
Information regarding the SNS Credentialing Exam requirements may be found in the Credentialing Exam Handbook, which can be downloaded from SNA at the following web address: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Content.aspx?id=132.

You must submit the completed application on page 11 of the Credentialing Exam Handbook, the proper documentation and the appropriate fees. For SNA members the cost is $150.00 and non members is $245.00. The Credentialing Study Guide may be purchased for $40 through the SNA Emporium or toll Free at 800-728-0728.

The application must be postmarked by the registration deadline, which is July 12, 2009. Please send application packet to:
SNA
Credentialing Exam
700 S. Washington St. Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314-4287

For more information please contact the MSNA office at 877-251-2344

St. Paul Schools Steps up Farm-to-School Initiative
Out of the 50 states, only six (North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and West Virginia) don’t have a local Farm-to-School program, the initiative that aims to bring more locally- and sustainably-produced foods to school cafeterias. Read how the St. Paul School district and other local school districts have been recognized for their Farm to School initiatives. Click here to read more in the Food Service News

MSNA would like to offer congratulations to Adrienne Gooley of Columbia Heights School District, who won both the state and regional Louise Sublette Award. She will be attending the ANC in Las Vegas, NV this coming June. The national winner will be announced at the ANC. Let's wish her luck!

Registration for the 53rd MSNA Annual Conference in Duluth is now open.
To download the conference registration form and golf form click here.

SNF in Partnership with USDA to host series of Webinars on Food Allergy Management
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) in partnership with USDA will be offering a series of three FREE webinars on food allergy management in schools. For more information Click here

Dover-Eyota kids package dinners for Kids Against Hunger
About 600 Dover-Eyota elementary students and high-school seniors worked together to assemble bags of food for hungry children overseas. Each wearing a hat or hair net, kids worked in assembly lines to fill bags with rice, soy, dried vegetables, flavoring and vitamins during a Kids Against Hunger Event at the elementary school. To read more and view a video click here.

Dollars, Calories and the Reinvention of the Lunch Lady
The jiggly arms. The hanky corsages. The hair nets. One dry scoop of mashed potatoes thunked onto a Melmac plate, followed by the barked order: “Keep the line moving!” Most of us have an image of lunch ladies that harks back to the antediluvian days of our childhood. But times have changed, and the lunch ladies of old are now known as food service directors. Click here to read more.

World of Hope Festival
Watch Pat Mergens on Kare11 as she speaks about her upcoming World of Hope Festival to raise funds for the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF).
Click on Watch Video

SNA Releases 2009 Legislative Issue Paper
SNA released its 2009 Legislative Issue Paper. Each year, SNA presents Congress with the critical issues facing school nutrition professionals nationwide.

The 2009 Legislative Issue Paper focuses on several important areas SNA would like addressed throughReauthorization:1. Increase the per meal reimbursement of all school meals by 35 cents for all meals to keep pace with rising costs and implementing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
2. Improve nutrition standards by requiring the Department of Agriculture to implement a consistent, science-based interpretation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for all federally reimbursed school meals. To view a complete copy of the 2009 Legislative Issue Paper, Click here

The Transformation begins for the Cafeteria Makeover!
Several contractors huddled in the corner of the Glenville-Emmons High School cafeteria on a cold, wet day in March while school staff and a variety of consultants conversed and two students buzzed with excitement nearby.The school in the little town of Glenville, population 720, is about to be transformed. Diane Minear told representatives from the Minnesota School Nutrition Association and Learning ZoneXpress that she “felt like she had won the lottery” upon learning that the school had won the 2009 Extreme Cafeteria Makeover.

New equipment, wall décor, staff uniforms, and other updates will be delivered over the summer and the new menu will be introduced to students in September. Stay tuned!
More information is available by clicking here.

How many times have we asked “what happens to our donations to Global Hunger”?
See the heartwarming story that appeared on Jason Davis, “On The Road” featuring the founder of “Kids Against Hunger” in Haiti. See where our donations go!

Recently there was a story in the Hutchinson Leader featuring John Neisen, founder of the local area “Kids Against Hunger”. John’s group was the team that spearheaded our packaging at Rochester and Inver Grove Heights. Read his story.

MSNA DVD “Visions and Values” is now available through the Learning ZoneXpress.
This video is an inspiring look into the work of all school foodservice professionals. Minnesota School Nutrition Association hired Tom Whitney, to create a video about “their” story. The video expresses their mission, vision and values to: members, Potential members, Industry, School Boards and Legislators. You can order online at www.learningzoneexpress.com and enter the product number #3472. Cost $39.95