68th Annual State Conference.

WELCOME RECEPTION

New this year, all attendees and industry members are invited to a Welcome Reception on Monday from 5:00-7:00 pm. Join us for a fun and casual evening of connection and delicious hors d’oeuvres as we officially open the conference. Whether it’s your first time attending or you're a seasoned MSNA pro, this is the perfect chance to meet new faces and reunite with familiar ones.

TUESDAY TOURS (Registration Required))

TOUR 1: Join us on Tuesday from 4:00-5:00 pm for an exclusive tour of the brand-new kitchen at Bishop Elementary, one of Rochester’s newest school facilities, built after the 2019 referendum and opened in Fall 2022. With space for 720 students, this state-of-the-art site offers a unique look at how a large district runs a high-volume, efficient, and successful nutrition operation. Space is limited to 50 attendees, and transportation is on your own. Don’t miss your chance to explore what’s possible in the future of school kitchens.

TOUR 2: Dig into the roots of local, sustainable food production! On Tuesday from 4:00-6:00 pm, join us for a special tour of Hidden Stream Farm, a 4th-generation organic farm. Learn from the experts about sustainable agriculture and how it connects to school nutrition programs. Space is limited to 50 attendees, and attendees are responsible for their own transportation.

TEAM BUILDING CHALLENGE

Back for 2025, we’re putting your teamwork to the test! Join us in the main ballroom on Tuesday at 3:15 PM for the Team Building Challenge, a high-energy event full of connection and a little friendly competition. You’ll laugh, learn, and leave inspired as we scratch the surface of what makes school nutrition so impactful.

 SUNDAY SPICE CLASS (Registration Required - $25.00)

($25.00/person) In this Sunday class from 11:00-12:30 PM, our instructor will share easy ways to enhance your recipes with no-salt flavor combinations tailored to kids' tastes. You’ll learn important tips and tricks for storing spices, recipe scaling and customization, the different uses for fresh and dried herbs, and much more! And better yet, you’ll be able to take home your own spice blends in jars along with a recipe card, enabling you to utilize them in your school kitchens.

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY | WELLNESS WALK (Registration Required)

Morning Wellness Walk - Wednesday 7:00 am | Get a fresh start to Wednesday by participating in a guided Wellness Walk through Rochester, MN. Reconnect with colleagues, enjoy the fresh air, and rejuvenate your mind and body before heading into the day's sessions. All fitness levels welcome!

 WELLNESS WEDNESDAY | FITNESS BOOT CAMP (Registration Required)

Fitness Boot Camp - Wednesday 6:45 am | Kickstart your day with a high-energy, all-levels workout combines cardio, strength, and mobility exercises to boost your metabolism and mental focus. Led by Callie Neumann, Simplot, AFAA Certified, it's the perfect way to wake up your body and mind before a day of learning and networking. No equipment needed - just bring your water bottle and enthusiasm!

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY | YOGA (Registration Required)

Yoga - Wednesday 7:00 am | Start your morning refreshed with yoga! Led by Marnie Henkle of Foodbridge, this yoga session will kick off your conference morning the right way. Connect the body, breath, and mind through physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.

SCAVENGER HUNT

Get ready to explore downtown Rochester like never before. On Tuesday evening, join in on a fun and interactive Scavenger Hunt around the city. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Rochester regular, this adventure will have you discovering new places and connecting with others along the way. (More details coming soon!)

GIFT BASKET RAFFLE

Revamped with exciting updates!

Back by popular demand, our Raffle Basket Fundraiser gives you the chance to win amazing prizes while making a difference. Tickets are just $2 each, and you get to choose which baskets to enter (new!). To keep the energy up throughout the conference, we’ll hold multiple drawings from Monday through Wednesday. All proceeds support scholarship winners. Thank you for helping build a brighter future for school nutrition.