News, Events, and Spotlights... Oh My!
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Recap our latest get-together, read about members in the news, learn about upcoming events, and more.
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Welcome to MSNA's October member spotlight. We are excited to feature Cassi O’Meara, Management Assistant of Food and Nutrition for Richfield Public Schools. Learn more about Cassi by clicking the button below.
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MSNA Scholarship Applications Now Open
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Interested in attending a local or national school nutrition conference but need assistance in getting there? Apply for an MSNA scholarship! Four school nutrition members will receive up to $500, and applicants can choose from five different conferences.
Click below to learn about the conference opportunities (LAC new for 2025!) and to apply for one of the four scholarships. Please share this opportunity with all school nutrition staff.
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What a Great Time We Had! Recapping the SNIP Conference
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SNIP Keynote, Christie White
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Gorgeous colors, new connections, innovative ideas, and brilliant ways to have fun... all were present at this year’s School Nutrition and Industry Partner (SNIP) Conference. On October 23-25, attendees marveled at the beauty of the Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN. The Poker Hike kicked off Wednesday afternoon, which led attendees through the fall foliage and was followed by the delicious Pizza Social.
On Thursday, keynote Christie White with What’s 4 Lunch explained how efficiency and quality can be improved in a commercial kitchen, as well as detailed how and why kitchens should take the ‘franchise approach.’ Attendees also learned about hot topics in HR, productivity with AI, and ‘who’s who’ in equipment purchasing. Thank you to the breakout session speakers for their expertise – Shane Keating, St. Cloud Schools; Chris Kamarianakis, FCMI; and Christie White, What’s 4 Lunch.
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On Thursday evening, attendees experienced an interesting twist on the 'meat raffle' concept – a “Meat & Greet” bingo event. The tension and excitement were high as “BINGO” was called and as meat raffle winners became new owners of packages from Thielen Meats of Pierz.
Friday’s events consisted of MSNA updates provided by President Emily Malone, followed by the 2024 Industry Partner of the Year Award, presented to Royal Dahlstrom at Curate – congratulations! Emily Honer with the Minnesota Department of Education then led a session detailing MDE updates, followed by the popular SNIP Forum, in which questions and answers come to light as attendees present their industry challenges. The conference closed as raffle winners were announced, including the sought-after grand prize giveaways, Minnesota Vikings and Wild tickets.
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SNIP Co-chairs,
Sarah Motl & Mike DeRosia
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Thank you to our SNIP sponsors for their support of the conference, and to our 2024 Elite members for their support of MSNA throughout the entire year. Find these companies at the bottom of the newsletter. Congratulations to the committee, led by Sarah Motl, St. Cloud Schools, and Mike DeRosia, Vader and Landgraf, for a successful conference!
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Message from Emily Honer, MDE
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Thank you to MSNA and SNIP for inviting me to present updates on Friday at the conference. I was able to share updates to the group on Minnesota Free School Meals, including data that is now out on the MDE website, as well as share the Minnesota Farm to Kids Strategic Plan and what the MDE Nutrition Program Services division is planning for this next year. I showed two links in my presentation that I have included below:
Minnesota Free School Meals Data
Minnesota Farm to Kids Strategic Plan Press Release
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Next in MSNA's Webinar Series: "From Hire to Retire"
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This webinar is designed for Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) members, those who are new or close to retirement, and everyone in between. The PERA pension will be discussed in detail, including how it fits into an overall retirement plan. Participants will be able to differentiate between a pension and other retirement savings accounts, be able to describe the various pension benefit options, and be able to identify criteria necessary to receive a pension benefit.
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Sign Up for the
Best of ANC Webinars
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Couldn’t make it to SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC24) in Boston, or eager to dive deeper into some top-rated sessions? We’ve got you covered!
Join SNA for the Best of ANC24 Webinar Series, where the most popular conference presentations are brought directly to your screen.
Webinars are free for members.
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Your Chance to Attend LAC!
Scholarships Available
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Are you passionate about child nutrition policy and looking for support to attend SNA’s 2025 Legislative Action Conference (LAC25) in Washington, DC? LAC is your chance to join other Minnesota school nutrition professionals and be a part of advocacy in action.
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is offering scholarships to help SNA members offset the costs of attending LAC25, taking place March 9-11, 2025.
Fifteen scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 will be awarded. Learn more about the multiple scholarship options for members through SNF below.
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Notice: The Ramadan and Unanticipated School Closure waivers were both approved by the USDA. Stay tuned for the official announcement.
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USDA Farm to School Grants Available:
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From CBS News Minnesota
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.
Watch Jess' Interview Here
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From Fox 9 News
Glen Ritter, Food Service Director for St. Michael-Albertville Schools and MSNA President-Elect, was interviewed by Fox 9, discussing what's on his schools' trays, the menu planning process, and more. Scroll to the 21:00 mark to watch.
Watch Glen's Interview Here
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Sponsor Spotlight! Hello, Lunch Sponsors
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Annual Conference Lunch Sponsor:
Integrated Food Service
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Integrated Food Service is a family-owned food manufacturer based in Southern California that has worked with school districts and distributors across the U.S. since 1991. Having our own bakery, all our breads are formulated for the NSLP/NSBP and baked fresh daily. We offer a variety of breakfast, lunch, and supper entrees, both commercially and with commodity processing of USDA Cheese (100036) and/or Ground Beef (100154). Our products are available individually wrapped (IW) for ease, convenience, and consistency, and bulk-packed for speed-scratch cooking. Home of the original grilled cheese sandwich, we also offer a wide variety of IW breakfast sandwiches, mexican entrees including enchiladas, taco sticks and chalupas, as well as a line of ground beef products.
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SNIP Conference Lunch Sponsor:
Blue Air FSE
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Blue Air is a quality manufacturer of high-end refrigerated and freezer equipment, including cabinetry, ice machines, bins, water filters, cooking equipment, and stainless steel fabricated items. Blue Air products come with some of the highest warranties the commercial foodservice equipment industry has to offer.
BLUENIX is our parent company and owner. BLUENIX purchased Blue Air almost ten years ago and everything for Blue Air changed for the better immediately. Blue Air products offer the end-user economical pricing while maintaining long warranties.
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Upcoming Events & Deadlines
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Minnesota School Nutrition Association
1400 Van Buren St NE. #200-239
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: 320-251-2344
[email protected]
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