Education Sessions for Thursday

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
Data-Based Decision Making
Technology has expanded the amount of data available to manage school nutrition operations. Yet many, if not most, districts lack the tools to analyze and use this data effectively. Find out about the Council of Great City Schools’ benchmarking project and learn how a major city school district, St. Paul (Minn.) Public Schools, applies data-based decision making in its daily operations.
Intended Audience: DDS, MC, SA, C

Send Your Wastestream in a New Direction
Are you aware of institutional composting facilities in your community or region? This option, an alternative to sending food waste and other compostable waste to landfills, is better for the environment and can save you money. The number of facilities across the country is increasing, making this option available in more geographic regions. Come determine whether a composting program, including both food scraps and food-soiled papers like napkins and milk cartons, is cost effective for your district, and investigate resources available to help you get started.
Intended Audience: DDS, MC, SA

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
What You Need to Know About Indirect Costs
Have indirect costs put additional stress on the bottom line of your school nutrition program? You’re not alone. Many programs are facing staggering and escalating charges from year to year. Come hear facts about indirect costs from a major city and state agency director. Leave with some insight into handling the charges and find out what you may be able to do to lessen the impact of these charges on your program.
Intended Audience: D, MC, S

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
Create Kid-Appealing Whole-Grain Options
Are you already cooking and/or baking with whole-grain ingredients or are you looking to do more next school year? Check out current trends for incorporating whole grains into your school nutrition menu. Both a chef and foodservice director will offer practical tips to help you serve whole grains and get your customers smiling.
Intended Audience: M, DDS, MC, SA, C

I Hear It’s Good for My Students: Current Healthy Food Trends
Take an informative and fun look at some of the most talked about food trends in school nutrition. This entertaining session will demystify some of the ingredients and foods (fiber, protein, etc.) that we all should be eating more of these days, and it helps you in your efforts to educate students and parents.
Intended Audience: E, M, DDS, MC, SA, I

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
After School Snack Programs: Expanding the Healthy School Environment
Come hear about the California Department of Education’s efforts to help school districts offer after school programs and learn how these programs help students develop healthy habits and make smarter choices. Gain resources you can apply immediately in your program to provide healthy snacks, nutrition education and physical activity. Intended Audience: E, M, D, MC, S

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
Which Personality Type Are You: Beaver, Lion, Otter or Golden Retriever?
One of the greatest challenges of working in the school nutrition profession is the interaction with many different attitudes and personalities. The ability to recognize the four main personality types can help you with interpersonal relationship skills, both personally and professionally. Learning about the Lion, Beaver, Otter and Golden Retriever personality types will encourage you to take a closer look at yourself and those around you.
Intended Audience: E, M, DDS, MC, SA, C, I

Membership Best Practices NEW
Learn best practices for increasing membership from SNA’s Member Services Committee. Discover the various membership tools available to you and how SNA can support your efforts. Intended Audience: E, M, D, MC

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
From A to Z on CN Labeling
Speakers will discuss the history of the CN Labeling Program, where it is now, and where it is headed in partnership with the Agricultural Marketing Service. Participants will learn about the advantages of the program for both the school nutrition operator and industry representative.
Intended Audience: DDS, MC, SA, I

1:15 pm–2:15 pm
State Best Practices: Commodity Distribution Models
Have you heard about differences in the way commodities are handled in other states? Are you curious about what is working well across the country? This best-practice sharing session will cover a variety of USDA food distribution models in several states.
Intended Audience: DDS, MC, SA, C, I