Quick News  
Impacts on School Meal Programs' Federal Funding: MSNA closely followed updates last week on the White House's proposed temporary pause on federal financial assistance. While the proposal has since been rescinded, we will continue to stay apprised of federal and state policy issues that impact member programs and provide pertinent updates. Please also follow advocacy updates and action alerts from SNA.
  • What is MSNA advocating for in 2025? Read the 2025 MSNA Position Paper and Press Release.
  • Advocate for Minnesota K12 lunch programs! Join us for MSNA's Day at the Capitol event, held on Tuesday, March 4 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM at the Minnesota State Capitol. Register here.
  • Which individuals and school nutrition teams do you admire? Let them know they're doing amazing things by submitting them for an SNA or MSNA award. Learn more here.
  • Next in the MSNA Webinar Series: How Are Your Listening Habits? on Tuesday, February 18 from 3:00-4:00 PM. Learn more and register.
  • MDE is excited to announce the second annual 'Say Yes! to School Meals'  Photo Contest, celebrating delicious and unique meals Minnesota schools are serving. Each School Food Authority may submit one breakfast photo and one lunch photo before the February 10 deadline. View the contest details here.
  • Fridays just got better with new SNA podcast episodes: Season 3 of SNA’s School Food for Thought podcast has arrived—now with video! 

Member Spotlight

Malachi Thompson, Food Service Associate, ISD 191 Burnsville-Eagan-Savage. Read about Malachi here.

To read past member spotlights, click here. 

Nominate a Colleague You Admire!

Help recognize the hard work of our colleagues in the school nutrition profession who go above and beyond. The MSNA and SNA Awards programs highlight the outstanding and important work of our members and state affiliates. Members and state associations are eligible for a variety of honors that recognize their achievements in school foodservice, leadership, membership recruitment and professional development. Nominations are open! Submit your award-winning nomination by March 1.

MSNA Members in the News!

1/29: Free meals in Minnesota has meant great things for the students in Rochester Public Schools. Hear what students have to say and learn more about what's' new in the program from Angie Wuerflein and Virginia McCosh of Student Nutrition Services on KTTC News.

1/28: WCCO Radio's Jason DeRusha learned more about the great things happening in MN cafeterias from Ashley Schneider, Director of Nutrition Services at Moorhead Area Public Schools and MSNA Vice President. If you didn't catch it live on Drivetime with DeRusha, hear the DeRusha Eats podcast on Audacy.

1/7: What pointers can we give our children to encourage healthy eating? Jess Peña, School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools and MSNA Secretary/Treasurer, explains in an interview with FOX9 News.

1/3: MSNA President-elect Glen Ritter, Food Service Director for St. Michael-Albertville School District, helped kick off the new year with WCCO & CBS News Minnesota, sharing tips for healthy meals in schools and at home.

12/1: Anoka-Hennepin Schools' nutrition director, Noah Atlas, enlisted Coon Rapids High School culinary students to taste-test new meal options, seeking honest feedback to refine the menu and shape meal offerings. Learn which items were highest-scoring!

11/6: Congratulations to Bertrand Weber, Director of Culinary & Wellness Services at Minneapolis Public Schools, for receiving the Golden Foodservice Director of the Year Award, FAME’s most prestigious honor. Learn About the FAME Awards.

10/18: In honor of National School Lunch Week, Jess Peña, School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools and MSNA Secretary/Treasurer, shared with CBS News Minnesota how schools have stepped up their lunch game.

Find past news stories here!