Quick News  

  • Register for the April 16 and April 24 webinars! The MSNA April Webinar Series is free for members and available for a nominal fee to non-members. Learn more and register here.
  • MSNA's 2024 Annual Conference call for proposals is open! Submit your proposal by March 31. 
  • Our March member spotlight features Katie Possone, Kitchen Manager at St. Michael-Albertville Schools. Read about Katie here.
  • What's happening at MSNA? Check out the 'What's Happening at MSNA' March Feature.
  • MSNA advocacy in action! MSNA's 2024 Position Paper is gaining traction. President Michele Hawkinson testified in support of HF 3556 to increase student seat time, and HF 3471 was introduced to address milk reimbursement.
  • Apply for a School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) scholarship. These scholarships provide SNA members with funding for tuition and books for the following school year. Deadline to apply is April 26.
  • Does your school kitchen need an upgrade? Applications are now open for School Nutrition Foundation's (SNF) Equipment Grants! Apply before March 29.

Member Spotlight

Katie Possone, Kitchen Manager at St. Michael-Albertville Schools. Read about Katie here.


Nominate a Colleague You Admire!

There is no time like the season of giving to recognize the hard work of our colleagues in the school nutrition profession who go above and beyond. The SNA Awards program highlights the outstanding and important work of SNA members and state affiliates. Members and state associations are eligible for a variety of honors that recognize their achievements in school foodservice, leadership, membership recruitment and professional development. Nominations are closed for 2024 and will open this fall for 2025 nominations.

Employee of the Year Award
Manager of the Year Award, in honor of Louise Sublette
Director of the Year Award
National Industry Member of the Year Award  

MSNA Members in the News!

3/18: 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.

3/12: 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.

3/11: Jess Pena, 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.

3/9: “Everyone is seeing an increase in this, and now the stigma is gone." MSNA President and Food Service Director at Tracy Area Schools, Michele Hawkinson, was interviewed by the Marshall Independent on the topic of school meals.

February/March: 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?"

2/14: 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.

2/5: 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.

Find past news stories here!