School Nutrition Industry Partner Conference ("SNIP")

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About SNIP

The School Nutrition and Industry Partner ("SNIP") Conference is an annual convening for sharing, learning, and networking between school nutrition professionals and industry partners. This is a time for the community of school nutrition directors and industry partners to come together to grow as professionals and discuss how we can better serve our kids at school.

Who attends SNIP?

As in our name, SNIP is a time for school nutrition directors/purchasers and industry members to convene. SNIP is intended for school purchasers. If you are a manager but also make purchasing decisions, SNIP is for you! We know many managers are also involved in purchasing decisions for their district.

Is there any "selling" at SNIP?

No! There is no food show, and selling is not allowed at the SNIP conference. SNIP is for collaboration and networking amongst school nutrition directors/purchasers and industry members. SNIP is not about selling and discussing “work,” but rather about discussing trends in the industry and how we can better serve our kids at school.

SNIP FAQs Curious about what to expect, including what to wear, CEUs, tips for first-timers, and more! Check out the frequently asked questions by clicking below.  SNIP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 Check out what Co-chairs, Bekah DeJarlais, Upper Lakes Foods, and Angel Wagner, Waypoint, have to say about SNIP 2023! Read their SNIP Conference article.

Pricing

• Before or on 10/16: $300 for Members | $400 for Non-Members
• After 10/16: $350 for Members | $450 for Non-Members
• Note: Registration is online only. You will have the option to pay via credit card or be sent an invoice. Please mail all checks to 2000 County Road B2 W, #131447, St. Paul, MN 55113. 

Click here to register (registration closed 11-20-23)

Help us structure the SNIP forum! This Friday morning event (previously Wednesday evening) is a chance for nutrition and industry professionals to ask questions, identify challenges, and collaborate on solutions! During registration, you will be asked your top 3-5 areas of concern in the industry and a topic area that you would like more assistance/support with. 

Schedule

DOWNLOAD THE SNIP SCHEDULE HERE

• Yahtzee Nature Hike
• Friday Morning SNIP Forum (previously Wednesday evening)
• Group Wellness Activity
• Prizes, Networking, Laughter, Fun & More!

Service Project

As you are packing for the SNIP Conference, remember to bring a donation for the Lakes Area Food Shelf! The Lakes Area Food Shelf provides supplemental food assistance along with necessities such as diapers and feminine hygiene products to families in need around the Brainerd Lakes area. They are in great need of monetary donations, which makes it possible to purchase directly from large food banks. Lakes Area Food Shelf had 4,657 visits in 2021, 3,822 visits in 2022, and has already had 6,128 visits in 2023.

Items or checks can be dropped off on Wednesday afternoon near the registration desk in the White Birch lobby. Questions? Please reach out to Emily Malone.

Those who donate an item will receive a raffle ticket they can use to enter to win a raffle basket! *One raffle ticket per person, regardless of # of donated items.

Items most helpful to donate:
● Monetary donations
● Peanut butter is an excellent donation - high in protein and shelf stable
● Anything shelf stable and nutrient rich e.g., other nut butters
● Flour
● Sugar
● Gluten free foods
● Healthy soups
● Packaged meal kits
● Tomato paste
● Ketchup and mustard
● Salad dressings
● Healthy cereals
● Feminine hygiene products
● Diapers
● Toilet paper
● Paper towels

Hotel/Lodging

• Lodging Link: https://www.reseze.net/servlet/WebresResDesk?hotelid=1397
• Group Code: 400889
• Deadline to Secure Discount: EXTENDED TO October 13th (30 days prior to event) | Deposit is equal to one night's lodging + tax
• Questions? Contact Breezy Point at 1-800-432-3777 or via their Contact Us Form
  

Keynote Speaker, Shannon Solomon

Welcome Shannon Solomon, Food Service Director from Aurora Public Schools in Colorado! Shannon will be taking us on a "Roadmap to Success" throughout the SNIP conference, tailoring her sessions to just what MSNA directors and industry professionals need!

Shannon aims to answer these questions:

• How can I be a better person that I was yesterday?
• How can I utilize SOIL? (Support, Opportunity, Integrity, and Love)
• How does partnership "take a village"?
• What is my "first aid kit"?
• And more!

About Shannon

Shannon Solomon is an authentic, passionate, innovative leader in the Restaurant Business and K-12 Industry. She is also a proud mother of five amazing adult children and grandmother of four. Shannon lives in Colorado (originally from Oregon) and has a robust portfolio varying from Restaurant Operations, Efficiency Engineering, Corporate Training, and Organization Leadership. Shannon holds a master's degree in Business and is a Credentialed School Nutrition Professional and course certifications in; strategic planning, conflict resolution, DEI and change management. Shannon has also competed on the Food Network’s show “Chopped” Chef competition as a School Chef. Shannon has also received several local and national awards for her relentless leadership regarding internal and external customer service, innovation, gratitude and positivity. Shannon’s deep passion is rooted at the heart of feeding her customers delicious, nutritious quality food with excellent customer service so that they may always be the best versions of themselves. 

A MESSAGE FROM SHANNON!

Yahtzee Hike Hole Sponsorship

MSNA Industry Member - we’ve got an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your company at SNIP! Perhaps you’ve heard of a golf hole sponsorship? Now how about a Yahtzee Hike hole sponsorship?! This is your chance to display your logo at SNIP and even provide attendees a treat, non-alcoholic beverage, or swag while they are out venturing nature in search of their best Yahtzee role!

 About the Yahtzee Hike

• The Yahtzee Nature Hike is the kick-off to SNIP. On Wednesday afternoon, attendees will gather and then navigate beautiful Breezy Point looking for your logo and goodies, rolling the die to score their best roll at each stop (it’s a giant Yahtzee game!). Attendees will then turn in their cards for a chance to earn a raffle basket later in the conference, your logo included by the raffle table.
• Be one of our ten $100 SNIP “Shake & Roll” sponsors! You’ll sponsor a Yahtzee Hike hole and also be listed as a raffle basket sponsor throughout the conference. Act quickly, as there are only ten spots available.
• If you are interested, please register by clicking below. During registration, you will be asked if you would like to provide a treat or swag to attendees stopping by your Yahtzee stop. Ideas include small treats, non-alcoholic beverages, bags for attendees to use while on the hike, or any other swag items you think are great.

Thank you for your support of MSNA!

*Sponsors are not required to attend SNIP.

Let's Sponsor a Yahtzee Hole! (Registration Closed)

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