The Annual National Conference in Kansas City is less than a week away, and the staff at the School Nutrition Foundation are excited to see you there! Whether we are meeting again, or meeting for the first time, we hope you will stop by our booth in the Kansas City Convention Center to say hello. We are also going to be conducting video interviews on topics such as school breakfast/breakfast-in-the-classroom, equipment, and scholarships—we hope you will take a few minutes to answer a short series of questions that will help us collect information that will help you, and your colleagues, improve your school nutrition programs.
In addition to our SNF Video Booth, we are excited about the many general and education sessions that will be conducted between Sunday and Wednesday of the conference. With so many amazing topics, we know it can be hard to choose. Here are some of the events where our staffers will be in attendance—if you see us, please say hello!
Sunday, July 14
On Sunday we are hosting “Expanding Breakfast: Bringing Everyone to the Table” at 1:15 p.m. Especially useful for ANC first-time attendees, you’ll hear from a panel of your peers about how to expand breakfast beyond the cafeteria. Hear about, and share, best practices and tips for increasing stakeholder engagement.
Opening General Session (2:30 p.m.): Immediately following our Expanding Breakfast panel, head to the opening general session where we will hear from Al Roker, Today Show weatherman and author, on his new book “Never Goin’ Back.” Roker will discuss his lifelong struggle with weight, and how he has achieved success in that struggle as an adult.
Monday, July 15
On Monday we are particularly excited for the 2:15 p.m. education session entitled, “Feeding Children When School is Out,” which will provide an overview of the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). As we know, summer feeding programs bridge the hunger gap for millions of children and this panel will explore ways for you to utilize the SFSP and the CACFP to make sure kids are fed year-round.
If food allergies are a concern for your school feeding operation, another 2:15 p.m. panel entitled “Milk, Eggs, Peanuts … Oh My!” may be beneficial. Learn about some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding food allergies and laws, and hear about best practices in food allergy management so you can best accommodate students with food allergies.
Tuesday, July 16
On Tuesday there are several sessions that caught our eye; here is a brief overview:
- Offer Versus Serve in the School Breakfast Program (8:45 a.m.): Designated a Hot Topic! this panel will give an overview of the OVS provision in the SBP, including specific examples of reimbursable meals. This panel is especially recommended for first timers.
- School Nutrition Foundation invites you to our 10:00 a.m. panel entitled “Making the Case for Breakfast,” held in partnership with Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry. SOS/NKH will present cutting-edge data that connects increasing school breakfast participation with better educational outcomes for kids. This panel will help you make your case when you bring your breakfast idea to key stakeholders, as well as teach you how earned media campaigns can increase participation.
- At 2:15 p.m. we will be in attendance at the National School Breakfast Week 2014 Kickoff. Great for first timers, this panel will hear from fellow members on how they celebrated NSBW 2013. We will learn what the 2014 NSBW theme will be, complete with contests and tools to help your school participate and celebrate!
General Session (3:30 p.m.): Journalist and television Lisa Ling will address the conference at the second general session on Tuesday. She is sure to be an engaging speaker.
Wednesday, July 17
Final General Session (8:30 a.m.): Don’t miss author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, creator of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series. The series’ main character is based on Krosoczka’s childhood school lunch lady, and the series is now in development to become a feature film.
Don’t miss the 1:30 panel discussion, “Increase Participation in Your Breakfast-in-the-Classroom Program.” Another great panel for first timers, this session will explore how to create a Breakfast for Achievers program, which has increased Orange County Schools’ breakfast program by 56 percent—fifty six percent!—in the course of two years. Learn how to identify district goals and translate them into a successful breakfast initiative and district policy.
We can’t wait to connect with you at ANC in Kansas City! Don’t forget to like SNF on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter where the conference hashtag is #ANC13. You can also utilize the ANC Program Guide on your mobile device so you can navigate the conference with ease!