SNA’s CEU bundling policy changes in January

What’s new: SNA is simplifying its Continuing Education Unit (CEU) bundling policy to allow for more flexibility and make it easier for SNA members to count CEUs obtained from applicable training.

Effective January 1, 2022:
• CEUs no longer have to be a minimum of 1 hour to be accepted for the SNA Certificate Program and SNS credential renewal requirements.
• You do not need to bundle shorter training sessions in the same subtopic code to reach 1 hour. However, a training session must be a minimum of 15 minutes to be accepted.
• Though not a requirement, SNA still encourages training to be at least an hour.

SNA  Announces New Lockbox Mailing Change 

Mailing in a payment to SNA? The lockbox address is changing on October 12, 2021. Please take note of the information below to ensure that your payment is sent to the correct address.

For payments sent before October 12, 2021, mail to:
SNA, PO Box 759297, Baltimore, MD 21275-9297

For payments sent after October 12, 2021, mail to:
SNA Depository, PO Box 719297, Philadelphia, PA 19171-9297

SNA is working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new lockbox address, and we encourage you to begin making the necessary updates. SNA is here to help! If your school district requires an updated W-9 or vendor forms, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]

New USDA resources to navigate supply chain disruption

Team Nutrition at the USDA this summer released “Planning for a Dynamic School Environment,” a resource that provides valuable information about meal service flexibilities and procurement strategies for school year (SY) 2021-2022.

What’s new: This web content has been updated to include additional information on flexibilities, waivers, P-EBT guidance, and strategies to navigating procurement and menu challenges amid supply chain disruption.

Advocacy in Action: SNA’s Government Affairs team continues to monitor legislative activity in Congress and initiatives by the USDA as it pertains to school meals.
SNA briefed the White House & USDA on various procurement challenges school nutrition programs have faced, expressed appreciation for regulatory waivers and new funds, while urging the Administration to provide additional support for programs struggling to secure foods and supplies for students. Learn more.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the United States at the U.S. Government Accountability Office requesting a review and analysis of the USDA Foods in School Program.

What they're saying: “We request GAO explore opportunities to make the program more efficient, implementation clear and predictable in all states, and provide recommendations for how best to streamline processes and maximize the benefit of USDA Foods as a program resource.”
The School Nutrition Association is advocating that the federal government ease sodium requirements under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 because of the many obstacles created by the coronavirus pandemic.

• SNA is seeking to move the second target to July 2024 and eliminate the third target because it is too restrictive. Read more.

Take Action: Send us your supply chain story for a chance to be featured on SNA’s Action Network and shared with the USDA and Congress. Your story is the most impactful way to bring meaningful change. 

 MSNA State Membership Dues Increase

The MSNA Executive Board has approved an increase to the MSNA state memberships of $1.50. This increase will take effect in February of 2022. SNA will be sending out renewal letters to members that will have their renewal date for February that will reflect the state dues increase only. The membership form will reflect the changes starting in February for all new members. 

MSNA Members in the News!

Darcy Steuber, director of nutrition services for Mankato Area Public Schools and Ross Larson, food service director for Waseca Public Schools talk about the supply chain shortages with the The Free Press of Mankato MN.

CNBC's Shepard Smith takes a closer look at how schools are being affected by supply chain issues but continue to rise to the challenges to ensure students are being nourished. Stacy Koppen, Director of Food Services at Saint Paul Public Schools shares insights from MN.

Many schools are dealing with supply chain issues. MSNA Public Policy Chair Brenton Lexvold spoke to KARE 11 about what he is seeing at Red Wing Public Schools. Click here to watch the story.