The School Nutrition Foundation is an outstanding organization. They are a true partner in every sense of the word. They worked with Alexandria City Public Schools every step of the way to help us initiate a Breakfast in the Classroom Program for Francis C. Hammond Middle School. They provided more than monetary support, they brought in experts who have worked with many schools and districts to provide insights that helped us be most efficient with our implementation of our program. We have now expanded this program to other schools with great confidence based upon the sustained success they started at Hammond Middle School.
I was gifted one of the Annual Conference scholarships that they give to people to attend ANC. I was very excited to be given the opportunity to expand my education of the way SNA works but it also allowed me to be able to meet new people and learn new things from them as well as from the conference itself. The people that I worked with when I volunteered my time to helping the SNF booth were very friendly and easy going people to work with. I would volunteer more with this group if I were needed to any time.
Engagement has to be the number one thing that drives fulfillment in ones career. This amazing foundation enables you to reach the heights of engagement through scholarships. It also allows for the more boots on the ground funding such as the Josephine Marten National Policy Fellow. I was the recipient of this award in 2019 and it gave me the opportunity to attend LAC. There is encouragement for career satisfaction at every level.
The School Nutrition Foundation is an organization that supports all the people who work in the ever changing world of feeding children at school. They provide a variety of scholarships, and trading opportunities for School Nutrition professionals to advance their education in this field. Until you actually work in school nutrition you have no idea of it’s complexities. Hungry tummies cannot learn, school meals are essential to the education system. This non-profit has an essential role in the process too!
Proud donor,
Debbi Beauvais, RD SNS
Our district won the 2021 Hobart Grant through the School Nutrition Foundation. It has been a game changer for our school! We received brand new commercial equipment for our kitchen which included a stand mixer, a slicer, and a food processor. This will allow us to add new items to our menu for our students. Working with the SNF was a wonderful experience. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity! I am looking forward for the school year to start and put this much needed equipment to great use!
The School Nutrition Foundation has provided millions of dollars in scholarships to school nutrition professionals to continue their academic careers as well as to gain required CEUs. I benefitted from a scholarship when working on my PhD several years ago. The Foundation also has gained grants from the Walmart Foundation to develop breakfast in the classroom programs that ensure children are provided nutritious meals that help them be ready to learn. A USDA grant is being used to develop leadership courses for school nutrition professionals, and the first course has had over 1000 participants since its inception in February 2021. The SNF is committed to ensuring SN professionals gain high quality professional development no matter what position they hold in the organization.
In the last 2 years I have gone from school nutrition administrator from a distance to becoming the Director and fully engrossed in school nutrition. I decided that to better understand the position I needed to get a degree in nutrition. I already had a degree in business but it would not help me in nutrition. I retired from the Army after 21 years in 2013 and then went into the school world. The School Nutrition Foundation helps so many people get an education in nutrition that helps them become game changers in their schools and in the lives of the children and families they serve; without the School Nutrition Foundation many of us couldn't complete degrees and be able to better serve our communities.
Thanks to the School Nutrition Founation, I received a scholarship that enabled me to attend ANC 2017!
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I'm so very thankful to the SNF. I received a scholarship that allowed me to go the 2017 ANC and it was an amazing experience. I came back with a renewed spirit and have shared many of the ideas with school managers. We have started out this school year great with a strong goal of positivity. I have seen many people use intentional efforts to maintain this goal in our first two weeks of school and I have high been encouraged that great things are yet to come.
The School Nutrition Foundation is dedicated to assisting individuals serving students in the communities across the nation! I am proud to have three children that eat school lunch everyday in the wonderful programs provided by our School Nutrition staff members. I have a wonderful family dedicated to helping me reach my doctoral, educational goals. The School Nutrition Foundation is helping my family while also helping school nutrition employees all over the nation!!
Thank you SNF!!
I joined SNF a year ago and have never been happier at a job! I love that we feed our future leaders and that we help them learn. I have attended both state conference and was so fortunate to attend ANC this year! I will never forget that experience and I was able to network with other SNF members from all over the United States. The speakers and the break out sessions were amazing. I came home with knowing and understanding so much more about my job.
SNF1964 08/17/2017
Bonnie, congratulations on receiving a scholarship to attend ANC. We are so happy that it was such a great experience for you!
They were instrumental in helping us get our breakfast in the classroom program started. Our program has been very successful. Many of the ideas and process that were implemented resulted from information provided as a part of the program. As with anything new we experienced many obstacles, but they were always there as a resource or would find someone to help if they didn't have all of the answers. Much of our success in feeding students and our increases in participation is attributable to our partnership.
I first encountered SNA when I began working in the Rochester MN School District and became a member in my current position in the Brandon Valley School District in Brandon, SD. SNA is committed to educating child nutrition professionals, giving them confidence and equipping them with tools to give 100% in their jobs.
I was lucky enough to receive the SNA Professional Development and Schwan's Food Service scholarships through SNA for the 2017-2018 school year. These scholarships allow me and others to get the continuing education we need to advance in our careers.
In addition to all this, SNA gives student nutrition professionals a voice on the legislation that affect so many of our school nutrition programs through informing and educating lawmakers.
I am a proud member of SNA and grateful for all the organization does on our behalf.
The School Nutrition Foundation along with Winston Industries offered a grant for 10 pieces of Winston Industries equipment. My school district was awarded the grant and now have 10 beautiful new pieces of hot holding and transport equipment for our schools. The process was easy to understand and follow. Working with the School Nutrition Foundation proves the need schools are in today. Many school districts are old and in disrepair. The School Nutrition Foundation works to provide grants and other resources for school districts to stay updated and compliant to provide the best possible meals to all students.
We applied for and received a grant from the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom. The School Nutrition Foundation and their consultants helped us through every single step of applying for the grant. When we first started the process, we emailed and spoke many times to talk through the application process and the funds available. When we wound up applying for a larger than expected amount of money, they fought for our projects to get funded due to the scope of impact and organization of our plans and program. Our award wound up being the largest amount to date, thanks in no small part to their advocacy on our behalf. Eventually, we decided to add on to our project, and with their help, successfully requested additional monies. They kept in touch the entire time (and still do) to talk through ideas and ways to make what we do better. They are truly devoted to improving our profession and helping children. We are extremely grateful for their assistance in accomplishing our tasks and look forward to opportunities to partner with them in the future.
This foundation is truly concerned about education on every level. They provide many free opportunities for employees to advance in their knowledge of school nutrition, as well as scholarship funds. I was blessed enough to receive one of these scholarships. By furthering my college education I have become more confident with my work which allows me to have a more positive attitude. The School Nutrition Foundation also provides access to a large network of other School Nutrition Employees, many who have been in the business for years, and are happy to offer their advice and suggestions when a problem arises. Well trained confident people are happy people and everyone knows how contagious a smile is. Happy cafeteria works, spread joy to our nations children as they come through school lunch lines. This caries back to the classroom and helps to set them up for a more enjoyable learning experience. I have seen numerous students with troubled home life form personal relationships with their cafeteria ladies. They look forward to seeing them everyday.
When I finished my Pastry degree in 2013, I wasn't sure what I was to do. I knew I did not wish to take out a $100,000.00 loan to open a bakery or for that matter work weekends and be away from my family. On a fluke I got a job as a 4 hour cafeteria attendant at our school district. I then started the new school year as a full-timer as a cook and once I went full-time I had to know more! Little did I know there was such a resource for Lunch Ladies! I quickly became a member of SNA and TASN to absorb everything there is to learn of this widely overlooked industry. I am currently back in college to earn my BS and SNA has become a big supporter for us Lunch Ladies going back to school also. When I say Lunch Ladies, I am not making fun, but saying it with pride that we are truly the most favorite people in the high school, as I get told all the time when I go about our town seeing our students working their summer jobs. All I can say is I am thankful for the program that SNA has to teach me so that I can teach my ladies on how to feed our children a safe, nutritious and, quality meal...for a mass of kids in a short time!
SNF1964 08/17/2017
We are so happy to help!
I am so thankful for the School Nutrition Foundation's work to encourage school nutrition professionals like myself to continue their education. With the Foundation's support I have been able to continue my education and improve my leadership skills.
I am the food service director for a small school district in Fordland, Missouri. I have been pursuing my degrees in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, and Baking since the fall of 2013. This past spring, I applied for the SNF scholarship. I was awarded the scholarship. I was deeply touched. So many times, the small districts and their employees, seem to be overlooked. That was not the case with SNF. I am forever grateful to this foundation. If it wasn't for this wonderful scholarship, I do not think that I would have been able to attend my final year of college and earn my degrees. I would encourage any school food service employee to join the School Nutrition Federation, not only for the wonderful learning opportunities but also for the networking.
Comments ( 1 )
SNF1964 08/17/2017 Thanks for working so hard to make sure kids are ready to learn!