News/Resources
January 2026
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the January feature.
- Our January member spotlight features Tracy Smith, Food Service Coordinator at Burnsville-Eagan-Savage ISD 191. Read about Tracy here.
- Learn what MSNA is advocating for in 2026. Read the MSNA 2026 Position Paper.
- MSNA Vice President and Nutrition Services Specialist for ISD 196 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Ross Larson, kicked off the new year with WCCO, sharing popular meals from their district and what makes their program unique. Watch Ross' Interview here.
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MSNA board members Glen Ritter, Ashley Schneider and Ross Larson attended the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) conference on January 15-16, where they joined St. Michael-Albertville School District Superintendent Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault hosting a roundtable on “Stretching Your School Lunch Dollar.” View the photos on LinkedIn and Facebook.
December 2025
November 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the November feature.
- Our November member spotlight features Teresa Steinbach, Kitchen Manager at St. Michael Elementary. Read about Teresa here.
October 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the October feature.
- Our October member spotlight features Carol Williamson, Head Cook at Sartell Middle School. Read about Carol here.
- As part of National Farm to School Month, Jennifer Walters, Winona Area Public Schools’ nutrition director, hosted lawmakers, farmers and representatives from MDA and MDE to show how state investment has helped to transform school meals in the district. Read the article here.
- To wrap up National School Lunch Week, MSNA President Glen Ritter joined WCCO & CBS News Minnesota to showcase how schools across the state celebrated nutritious and culturally diverse meals all week long.
- To kick off National School Lunch Week, MSNA Secretary Jess Peña from Red Wing Public Schools joined FOX 9 Good Day to showcase the delicious, nutritious meals served in schools across the state every day.
September 2025
- Your go-to for MSNA News: Read the September Minute here.
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MSNA President, Glen Ritter, was installed during the MSNA Annual Conference in August. Learn more about Glen's background and aspirations for his presidency in this Press & News article.
- Ashley Schneider, MSNA President-elect and Director of Food Services for Moorhead Area Schools, joined FOX 9 to discuss school meal guidelines and the creativity of school meal programs.
- How have schools adjusted breakfast menus to abide by new federal sugar restrictions? MSNA President, Glen Ritter, and MSNA Education Chair, Renee Arbogast, discussed with the Minnesota Star Tribune how their schools have done so.
August 2025
- MSNA President elect and Food Service Director for St. Michael-Albertville School District, Glen Ritter, spoke about the importance of the Annual Conference with KIMT3 News in this article. Glen also spoke about the new changes to school meals - watch the video here.
- Both Kelsea Desrocher, Food Service Director for Verndale Public Schools, and Glen Ritter, MSNA President elect and Food Service Director for St. Michael-Albertville School District, were interviewed by KIMT3 News during the Annual Conference. Watch the interviews here.
- MSNA President and Nutrition Director for Prior Lake-Savage Schools, Emily Malone, was interviewed during the Annual Conference by KTTC News, speaking on free meals, farm-to-school, and more. Emily also spoke live on the exhibit floor with KAALTV, even taste-testing a sample from an exhibitor!
June 2025
May 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the May feature.
- Our May member spotlight features Paige Albrecht, Nutrition Supervisor at Forest Lake Area Schools. Read more about Paige here.
- Who are the SNA and MSNA award winners? Learn about them here.
- The nutrition staff of Willmar Public Schools' Lakeland Elementary School was named the 2025 MSNA Hero Site Award recipient. The West Central Tribune as well as Lakeland Media describes how this team earned this honor.
- "I’ve often said that being a teacher is like being the parent in the building, but being the lunch lady is like being the cool aunt—we get to have fun, show kindness, and make sure every student feels welcome." Roseville Area Schools Nutrition Services Coordinator Stacey Gaetz has been named the 2025 School MSNA Lunch Hero Award. The Roseville Reader covers the story here.
- Jennifer Walters, Director of Nutrition at Winona Area Public Schools, was named the 2025 Minnesota Director of the Year. The Post Bulletin and the Winona Post detail her contributions to her district and MSNA.
- On School Lunch Hero Day, a hero at Centennial Middle School in Lino Lakes, Barbi King, was awarded the midwest region Employee of the Year by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). Watch Barbi in action here.
April 2025
- Your go-to for MSNA News: Read the April Minute here.
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Darcy Stueber, Director of School Food Service for Mankato Schools and MSNA Public Policy Chair, testified before the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee to advocate for the preservation of dedicated school nutrition funds. Watch Darcy's testimony here.
March 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the March feature.
- Our March member spotlight features Brenda Johnson, Manager at Eastern Carver County Schools. Read more about Brenda here.
- Happy National Nutrition Month! Did you know that working in school nutrition comes with hidden health benefits? Julie Kronabetter, MSNA Nutrition Chair, reflects on how working in school food service affects our body, mind, and soul. Read the article here.
- MSNA Secretary/Treasurer and School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools, Jess Peña, was featured on FOX9 News to highlight the importance of school breakfast during National School Breakfast Week.
- Funding for school lunch programs is uncertain as House Republican leaders are considering major spending cuts. Zumbrota-Mazeppa School's Food and Nutrition Director, Brenton Lexvold, was interviewed by KIMT News 3 as well as KTTC News on the impact this would hold for school programs.
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Could the new administration stop free school lunches? Jess Peña, MSNA Secretary/Treasurer and School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools, was featured on WCCO News' podcast to discuss to discuss school meals and implications of funding changes.
February 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the February feature.
- Our February member spotlight features Stephanie Champeau, Cook at Fridley High School. Read more about Stephanie here.
- Three Minnesota school nutrition professionals were accepted into the Chef Ann Foundation 2025 Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship Cohort. Congratulations to Claire Nielsen (Wayzata Public Schools), Courtney Chapman (Minneapolis Public Schools), and Kevin Trierweiler (Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Schools)!
- Fridays just got better with new SNA podcast episodes: Season 3 of SNA’s School Food for Thought podcast has arrived—now with video!
January 2025
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the January feature.
- Our January member spotlight features Malachi Thompson, Food Service Associate at Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District. Read more about Malachi here.
- What is MSNA advocating for in 2025? Read the 2025 MSNA Position Paper and Press Release!
- Free meals in Minnesota has meant great things for the students in Rochester Public Schools. Hear what students have to say and learn more about what's new in the program from Angie Wuerflein and Virginia McCosh of Student Nutrition Services on KTTC News.
- WCCO Radio's Jason DeRusha learned more about the great things happening in MN cafeterias from Ashley Schneider, Director of Nutrition Services at Moorhead Area Public Schools and MSNA Vice President. If you didn't catch it live on Drivetime with DeRusha, hear the DeRusha Eats podcast on Audacy.
- What pointers can we give our children to encourage healthy eating? Jess Peña, School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools and MSNA Secretary/Treasurer, explains in an interview with FOX9 News.
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MSNA President-elect Glen Ritter, Food Service Director for St. Michael-Albertville School District, helped kick off the new year with WCCO & CBS News Minnesota, sharing tips for healthy meals in schools and at home.
December 2024
November 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the November feature.
- Our November member spotlight features Chloe Crandall, Child Nutrition Assistant at Sand Creek Elementary School. Read about Chloe here.
- Congratulations to Bertrand Weber, Director of Culinary & Wellness Services at Minneapolis Public Schools, for receiving the Golden Foodservice Director of the Year Award, FAME’s most prestigious honor. Learn About the FAME Awards.
October 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the October feature.
- Our October member spotlight features Cassi O’Meara, Management Assistant of Food and Nutrition for Richfield Public Schools. Read about Cassi here.
- Congratulations to Royal Dahlstrom, Curate, for being awarded MSNA Industry Partner of the Year! Royal was awarded this honor at the SNIP Conference on October 23-25 at the Grand View Lodge.
- In honor of National School Lunch Week, Jess Peña, MSNA Secretary/Treasurer and School Nutrition Director for Red Wing Public Schools, shared with CBS News Minnesota how schools have stepped up their lunch game.
- 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.
- Students at Humboldt High School in Saint Paul Public Schools are participating in a gardening program that provides fresh produce for their school cafeteria and local community. Watch the video here, which features Lynn Broberg, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services for the St. Paul School District.
September 2024
August 2024
- Ten individuals were installed into the 2024-2025 Executive Board. Two of these individuals were elected during the spring election. Read more about Ashley Schneider and Jess Peña.
June 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the June feature.
- Julie Kronabetter, Food and Nutrition Services Director for Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 and MSNA Nutrition Chair, was featured in the Sun Thisweek for her efforts in diversifying menu offerings to students. These efforts helped her win the 2024 MSNA Director of the Year award.
- MSNA is pleased to announce the outcome of the 2024 Board Member Election. Learn about our new Board members, Ashley Schneider, Jess Peña, and Kristi Frank.
May 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the May feature.
- Brooklyn Middle STEAM School’s nutrition manager Sandra Hirdler is highlighted in the Sun Post for being named School Nutrition Association 2024 Midwest Region Manager of the Year.
- MSNA President Michele Hawkinson, President-elect Emily Malone and Vice President Glen Ritter presented at the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) conference on "What's Next in Free School Meals: Seeing Down the Line for your District". MSNA also hosted a booth at the exhibit show. Check out photos here.
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A variety of lunch heroes were recognized at their schools in honor of School Lunch Hero Day! Congratulations to: Minnesota’s Director of the Year: Julie Kronabetter, Burnsville Eagan Savage ISD 191; Manager of the Year: Sandra Hirdler, Brooklyn Middle STEAM School; Employee of the Year: Melissa Willhite, Tracy Area Schools; MSNA Hero Award: Pat Tasse, Five Hawks Elementary; and MSNA Hero Site Award: Alexandria Area High School. View photos and read more here.
April 2024
- Your go-to for MSNA News: Read the April Minute here.
- Congratulations to Jennifer Walters, Director of School Nutrition for Winona Area Public Schools, who received the Winona State University President's Civic Engagement Community Partner Award. Check out photos here.
- Congratulations to Heather Hart and Antonia Nelson from Mounds View Public Schools' Sunnyside Elementary School for winning an honorable mention award from the Minnesota Department of Education in its recent "Say Yes to School Breakfast campaign photo contest."
March 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the March Feature.
- Our March member spotlight features Katie Possone, Kitchen Manager at St. Michael-Albertville Schools. Read about Katie here.
- Three Minnesota school nutrition programs have received national recognition for their outstanding summer meal programs. Congratulations to Centennial Schools, Foley Public Schools, and Lake City Public Schools for being awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Turnip the Beet Award.
- Emily Malone, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools' director of child nutrition and MSNA President-Elect, was interviewed by the Prior Lake American, discussing challenges in school nutrition, as well as her experience at the School Nutrition Association’s annual Legislative Action Conference.
- Christine Haslock, Burnsville High School Food Service Associate, was awarded with the school district's Spirit of Excellence award as part of the annual district's Community of Excellence award program.
- Darcy Stueber is the Edge Magazine's national CDM, CFPP of the month! Read about her experience in school nutrition and learn what she urges young professionals to do. Darcy is the MSNA Public Policy Committee Chair and Director of School Food Service for Mankato Schools.
- “Everyone is seeing an increase in this, and now the stigma is gone." MSNA President and Food Service Director for Tracy Area Schools, Michele Hawkinson, was interviewed by the Marshall Independent on the topic of school meals.
- Jess Peña, Nutrition Director for Red Wing Schools and SNA Public Policy & Legislative Committee member, talked to the Republican Eagle about her expectations for SNA’s Legislative Action Conference.
- In support of MSNA's 2024 Position Paper, President Michele Hawkinson testified in support of HF 3556 to increase student seat time, and HF 3471 was introduced to address milk reimbursement.
February 2024
- What's happening at MSNA? Check out the February Feature.
- Our February member spotlight features Jennifer Walters, School Nutrition Director at Winona Area Public Schools. Read more about Jennifer here.
- Testimony by MSNA President Michele Hawkinson in support of increasing seat time was included in this Minnesota News Network brief, and reference to the MSNA position on the issue was also included in a related story on FOX 9 KMSP. Michele was also featured in KMSP (Fox 9)'s story on "Students benefit from longer lunches, but can districts afford it?"
- Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS)' Nutrition Director, Jennifer Walters, received a Farm to School Full Tray grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for $11,500 to use between January 2023 and 2024. WAPS used the grant to purchase beef from a local farm. The Winona Post covers the story.
- The MSNA Position Paper advocates for a minimum of 15 minutes of seat time for students to eat their meal. WJON radio interviewed Darcy Stueber, MSNA Public Policy Committee Chair and Director of School Food Service in Mankato, on the matter. Read the article here.
- Learn more about what MSNA is advocating for in the 2024 Position Paper, drafted by the Public Policy Committee. Read and share the press release here.
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Angela Richey, nutrition services supervisor for Roseville Area Schools, was featured in an MPR News article, discussing Roseville Schools' expansion of fresh, local, healthy food offerings since the implementation of MN Free Meals for All.
January 2024
Have you seen an MSNA member in the news? Let us know!
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