The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a non-profit organization that provides resources, support, and advocacy for school nutrition professionals across the United States. With a mission to advance the quality of school meal programs, the SNA works to ensure that students have access to healthy and nutritious meals every day.
What is the School Nutrition Association?
The School Nutrition Association is the national organization representing school nutrition professionals. It was founded in 1946 and has since grown to include over 60,000 members from all 50 states. The SNA is committed to advancing the quality of school meal programs, promoting food safety, and providing professional development opportunities for its members.
The SNA supports school nutrition professionals in a variety of ways. Members have access to educational resources, including training and certification programs, industry news, and research studies. The association also advocates for policies that support healthy school meals and provides networking opportunities for its members.
What Does the School Nutrition Association Do?
The School Nutrition Association provides a range of services to its members to support healthy school meal programs. Some of these services include:
- Advocacy
The SNA advocates for policies that support healthy school meals, such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The association works with lawmakers to promote funding for these programs and to ensure that they meet the needs of students. - Professional Development
The SNA offers professional development opportunities for school nutrition professionals. Members have access to training and certification programs that help them stay up-to-date on best practices in nutrition, food safety, and food service management. - Networking
The SNA provides opportunities for members to connect with each other and share best practices. This includes local chapter meetings, state conferences, and the annual National Conference. - Resources
The SNA provides a range of resources for its members, including educational materials, research studies, and industry news. The association also publishes a monthly magazine, School Nutrition, which covers topics such as nutrition, food safety, and industry trends.
Why is the School Nutrition Association Important?
The School Nutrition Association plays a critical role in ensuring that students have access to healthy and nutritious meals. With childhood obesity rates on the rise, it’s more important than ever to provide students with nutritious meals that meet their daily nutritional needs.
School nutrition professionals face many challenges in providing healthy meals for students. The SNA provides support and resources to help these professionals overcome these challenges and succeed in their mission to provide healthy meals for students.
Conclusion
The School Nutrition Association is a vital organization that plays a critical role in ensuring that students have access to healthy and nutritious meals. With a commitment to advancing the quality of school meal programs and advocating for policies that support healthy eating habits, the SNA is helping to shape the future of school nutrition in the United States.
