Georgia Gems Fall 2014
A Publication of the Georgia School Nutrition Association
Georgia School Nutrition Association
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Georgia Gems Published by the Georgia School Nutrition Association
Inside This Issue From the President
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Executive Director’s Message
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GSN Foundation Spring 2014 (Scholarship & Grant Recipients) 3 2014-2015 Officers President Kelly Schlein President-elect Vanessa Hayes Secretary Tanshelia Harris Treasurer Dawn Garrett-Martin Chair of District Presidents Laura Lynn School Level Section Chairman Regina Williamson System Level Section Chairman Kim Kiker Executive Director Susan Cheshire GSNA Office 2372 Main St. Tucker, Georgia 30084 (770) 934-8890, Fax: (770) 934-8917 (877) 221-8733 (inside Georgia) www.georgiaschoolnutrition.com Share your news with other members! Send items and photos to (email preferred): 2372 Main St., Tucker GA 30084 E-mail: patrice@georgiaschoolnutrition.com To Advertise in Georgia Gems Contact: Melissa Connor (404) 325-0558 Plus One Media, Inc. E-mail: melissa@plusonemedia.com Georgia Gems is published two times a year by the Georgia School Nutrition Association. Articles and editorials in Georgia Gems represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Georgia School Nutrition Association nor does acceptance of any advertising imply endorsement of the product(s) or service(s).
School Level Chair Message
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System Level Chair Message
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Josephine Martin Endowment
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GSNA Industry Advisory Board: Challenges Ahead
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Georgia State of Mind! Calendar of Events
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Around the State!
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2014 GSNA Annual Conference Award Winners
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2014 GSNA Director of the Year and Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Linda Waters, Gilmer County
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2014 Heart of the Program Award: Christine Sampson, Houston County
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2014 Louise Sublette Award: Marsha Carlson, Brantley County
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2014 Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award: April Bohannon, Houston County
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Corporate Members
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GSNA 2014-2015 Culinary Contests
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Thanks to our 2014-2015 Sponsors
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Legislative Issues Matter
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GSNA Annual Conference, Savannah, GA
Inside back cover
Fall 2014
Georgia Gems
From the President
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’m certain by now you are back in the full swing of things! I’m sure you have developed a regular work routine, working fabulously with colleagues, established long lasting impressions with students, positive rapport with parents and teachers as well as your administrators. If so, I’m proud to say that you’re in a School Nutrition: “Georgia State of Mind.” School nutrition professionals have one of the hardest jobs that exist today! It is such a multifaceted business. Let’s take a closer look…School nutrition is heavily mandated by both federal and state regulations while district and local policies remain in place. Programs are expected to run smoothly while being completely self-sufficient. With funding primarily from meal reimbursement rates and in many cases little to no a la carte sales, your program must cover all costs associated with meal production from the food costs to labor, supplies, uniforms, equipment, maintenance, possible indirect costs, insurance including workmen’s compensation insurance all while keeping the operation’s bottom line in the black! Each staff
member in the school nutrition program plays a vital role in the success of the entire program. Our important kitchen crews help keep costs at bay by following standardized recipes, maintaining accurate portion sizes, keeping food wastes to a minimum, ensuring tight but realistic inventory, double checking invoices for discrepancies, as well as conserving resources like water, energy and much more. Our bookkeepers are crucial to the program! They ensure the finances stay in good running order. Bookkeepers and free and reduced clerks meticulously double check our records for errors, red flags, duplicate invoices and such. They closely examine applications and Direct Certified lists continuously looking for changes or the slightest update. I can’t stress enough how important these particular jobs are to our programs! Our dedicated secretaries wear so many hats! They complete countless yet very important tasks behind the scenes to keep the program moving ahead! Area supervisors, coordinators, trainers, training managers, and nutrition education specialists…work diligently to keep operations running smoothly by providing the necessary guidance, training, nutrition education and technical support to the kitchens. School nutrition directors or manager supervisors have the responsibility of overseeing the operation in its entirety while trying to maintain student participation by serving quality nutritious and delicious meals, ensuring fiscal stability and program integrity, demonstrating a positive rapport with the administrators, community and media, following all regulations and I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the point. School Nutrition Programs are well-oiled machines, which need dedicated, compassionate staff to run them efficiently to feed our future. Here is to the best school year yet, may all you do revolve around what is best for the students. We have an exciting year in store for you! I encourage you to take advantage of any trainings, retreats, conferences or meetings that your local chapter, district chapter, or GSNA offers this school year. Professional development keeps us on our “A Game” while introducing us to trends and cutting edge information. With that being said, I look forward to seeing you “Get in the Game” with School Nutrition! Fondly,
Georgia School Nutrition Association Kelly R. Schlein GSNA President, 2014-15 2
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Executive Director’s Message Dear GSNA Members,
H
ave you heard of the Chinese proverb.... “May you live in interesting times?”
Well, all of us in school nutrition are definitely finding out what that means as we return to a new school year and ever more challenging regulations about feeding children. These times are so “interesting” that it is a wonder you are able to actually produce meals and feed children every day, and yet of course, you do. School nutrition today faces perhaps the most difficult challenge in the last 50 years as we struggle with the meal pattern regulations, Smart Snacks, school fundraisers, and budget constraints. GSNA continues to work in both the public relations area and the legislative area to address these challenges, and more than ever, we need to work together and present a united front with ALL our resources. More than ever, we need ALL school nutrition employees to be members of GSNA and SNA, to be a proactive partner in working to improve school meals and continue “Building Healthy Children, Ready to Learn.” I encourage all of you to consider using the District Owned Membership option, that allows for SNA and GSNA membership to be paid with SN funds. You do not have to include all your staff! You may choose to include just your Central Office staff, or include managers and food assistants also. This membership option is flexible and convenient, and our GSNA office will be happy to help you get started. Please join your professional colleagues in working to keep Georgia in the forefront of the important effort to feed our children healthy and tasty school meals. But, ready or not, it is time for us to begin a new year with new opportunities. Our GSNA President, Kelly Schlein is leading us in new directions towards “School Nutrition, A Georgia State of Mind.” She has so many great ideas for showcasing and implementing ways to help you increase your participation and financial resources. Please check out our web page for the new logo, new Plan of Action, awards, and newsletters. We are just back from Annual National Conference in Boston where over 50 Georgia folks learned about new products and processes as well as the rich history in the area. We are very pleased that one of our own past presidents, Teresa Stevenson, is now serving on the national level as the SNA Employee/Manager Representative. She has already attended an SNA Board of Directors meeting and joined in a delightful membership skit in Boston to the music of Neal Diamond and “Sweet Caroline”! We definitely hope to see this performed again in Georgia.
Show, Manager’s Retreat, and Industry Seminar. We have so much to accomplish this year, and we need each and every one of you to reach our goals. And remember, it is only with the dedication and tireless work of all of our members and leaders that Georgia continues to be a WINNER in school nutrition. Thanks to each and every one of you for your contribution. Local and District Presidents -- remember that the office staff is here to help you. Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us in the GSNA office for any questions about association activities. Looking forward to working with all of you in the new school year!
Susan Cheshire, CAE Executive Director/ CEO
GSN Foundation Spring 2014 Scholarships & Grant-in-aid Congratulations to all of the Spring 2014 scholarship and grant-in-aid recipients. Members Cindy Hall - Gwinnett County Stephanie Holton - Tift County Mary Jean Johnson - Tift County Malcolm Quillen - DeKalb County Donna Rice - Paulding County Children of Members Chelsea Bugg - Houston County Carol Hollis - Ware County Lauren Lewis - Coffee County Shanxua Li - Jones County Makimsey Morris - Jackson County Johnathan Quintyne - Columbia County Gabriella Ramsaier - Griffin Spalding County Jeffery Thompson - Paulding County
Mark your calendars for the Fall activities for GSNA-Kick Off Luncheon, National School Lunch Week, Crop 3
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
School Level Chair Message WELCOME BACK!
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am excited to get back to school and have “A Georgia State of Mind!” I hope your summer was all you wanted it to be and that it rejuvenated your heart and soul. As we embark on this new school year it is a new start. Even with all the regulations that we can’t control the stress can be in our control. Always keep in “mind” that we are here to serve the students and build healthy bodies to grow their minds. Like building anything it requires a foundation. We need to remember that our foundations start when we are very young so the role we play in molding the clay is very beneficial. During this school year I hope that all of us can find a way to handle the challenges with decrease stress. We don’t need to wake up every morning wondering what else is going to happen today which creates difficult experiences. We need to stay positive and motivate each other in our field to be the best we can be!
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar I am excited to serve you this year and assist in any way possible to make your program and each individual shine! I am always thrilled to tell people that I am a Lunch Lady and have been called to serve Georgia’s children for the future of this great state! Regina Williamson, School Level Chair
System Level Chair Message A GEORGIA STATE OF MIND
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s we begin school year 2014-2015, we as directors need to keep in mind that we are in “A Georgia State of Mind.” As school begins, we have spent hours and hours planning menus that will meet the demands of our student’s southern pallets. Trying to do so has been a difficult task with the new guidelines that have been placed upon our programs. I have heard many directors stressing over incorporating a whole grain biscuit into their breakfast program and having the fear that the students will revolt and not ever eat breakfast at school again. With the new sodium guidelines our fear is now that we can’t even serve a biscuit, because they are much too high in sodium to even consider. So now what can we as directors do to continue serving the quality, nutritious meals that our Georgia students have loved and come to accept throughout the years? We need to continue the thought that, “We are School Nutrition” and work together as a team to share our successes and achievements with other districts from throughout the state. We can do this by remaining active within the Georgia School Nutrition Association and by encouraging our staff and school administrators to become active as well. There are many great events planned this year to provide support for our programs. Please consider attending our Kick Off Luncheon in Macon on September 25th so that we can get this year started out with a bang. Invite your staff, teachers, administrators, local school board members and even parents and students to lunch to learn about the great achievements that we have made within the Georgia School Nutrition programs. As the fall begins
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and you are creating new menus and need fresh ideas, please consider attending the GSNA Crop Show on October 22nd prior to the beginning of Directors’ Conference. December will take us back to Savannah, to host our Industry Partners for another exciting Industry Conference. If you have never attended this meeting, please make this the year you do. This is a smaller meeting and allows us the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our industry partners and let them know what we need from them to make our programs more successful. Before we know it, it will be annual conference time again. This year, we will be going back to the Classic City, Athens from April 9th-11th. Please take time out of your schedules to plan to attend conference with your staff so that we can continue to showcase our talents, skills and many great ideas with other systems throughout the state. As we move forward this year in “A Georgia State of Mind,” remember that we all are working together to feed Georgia’s children and we can do so as a team, by working together and sharing the great ideas that Georgia is so well known for.
Kim Kiker, System Level Chair
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Josephine Martin Endowment
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n an effort to help support school nutrition professionals pursue their goals in the public policy arena the Dr. Josephine Martin Endowment Fund was created.
The endowment fund will provide funds each year for a School Nutrition Association member to attend the Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington, D.C. for the first time. The Josephine Martin National Policy Fellow will travel to Washington, D.C., with all travel expenses paid up to $3,000. Expenses include airfare, ground transportation, and hotel accommodations, as well as conference registration and a per diem for meals. You can donate to the fund or apply to be a recipient through SNA. Applications will be accepted for the 2015 National Policy Fellow in early 2015.
To apply, you must: Be a SNA employee or manager section member currently and for the last three years (having joined SNA no later than December 7, 2010). Have never previously attended LAC Please note that director level members are not eligible for this fellowship. Dr. Josephine Martin is an inspiration to us all. Her career in child nutrition began in 1950, with the Georgia Department of Education, and she has created an enduring legacy for her fellow school foodservice professionals; her commitment to child nutrition is equaled only by her passion for public policy. Dr. Martin is the living history of school nutrition: in the 1960s she accompanied then Senator Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.) on a tour of hunger in Georgia, and she played an influential role in the passage of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
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Georgia Gems
tacoh!
Fall 2014
Oh so popular. Oh so flavorful. Oh so what-kids-want. Kids love tacos. At home, at restaurants, and at school. In fact, Mexican foods (especially tacos) are the 4th most popular K-12 lunch item.* And JENNIE-O® turkey is a great way to make sure your tacos deliver on taste and nutrition. Discover our many taco-friendly turkey products (and recipes) at jennieofoodservice.com/schools or call 1-800-328-1756. Acosta, Inc. Lisa Davis • 770-423-7750 Lsdavis@acosta.com
* 2013 SNA Back to School Trends Report ©2014 Jennie-O Turkey Store, LLC
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Challenges Ahead
2014-15 advisory board
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Industry Advisory Board Chairman Amy Huff Horizon Software International, LLC 2915 Premier Parkway, Suite 300 Duluth, GA 30097 Phone: 770-554-6353 ext. 225 Fax: 770-554-6331 Cell: 404-514-4426 E-mail: ahuff@horizonsoftware.com
There is no doubt that both school nutrition programs and the industry side are facing a few challenges going into this year… making it more important than ever to strengthen the partnerships between us. The IAB strives to elevate industry presence, support and communication throughout the state, aiming for all to have a “Georgia State of Mind”.
Industry Advisory Board Vice Chairman Claudia Harry SEMA Reps (South Eastern Manufacturers Agents) 3020 Amwiler Rd, Atlanta, GA 30360 Phone: 770-246-0111/ cell 404-895-7557 Email: charry@semareps.com
by Amy Huff, Horizon Software International, LLC, Chairman, GSNA Industry Advisory Board
am thrilled to serve as chair this year to a very enthusiastic Industry Advisory Board, as well as to work with such dynamic GSNA leadership as Kelly Schlein and Vanessa Hayes, in addition to Susan Cheshire and the wonderful staff at GSNA!
The current challenges posed also increase the value of such resources as networking, sharing best practices and the training opportunities that both districts and industry receive through participation in GSNA. That’s why the primary goal of this year’s IAB is to increase corporate membership, and support ways to increase district membership, in GSNA. We know that Georgia has one of the most passionate, active school nutrition communities in the nation –we want everyone to know it by the numbers! I would also like to encourage you to reach out to your District’s Industry Partner and invite him/her to participate in your next District meeting, inservice, culinary competition, or other event. Each of the 2014-2015 IAB members brings something different to the table, and all are honored to serve you.
2014-2015 Industry Partners District One:
Mike Priest
District Two:
Dennis Williams
District Three: Mike Priest District Four and District Five: Amy Huff District Six:
Sharon Bologna and Claudia Harry
District Seven:
Sharon Bologna and Becki Rogers
District Eight:
Jennifer Sills
District Nine:
Jon Samples
District Ten:
Eric Kenny
i n d us try
par t ner s
Sharon Bologna Key Impact Sales & Systems, Inc. 3469 Buffington Road, Atlanta, GA 30349 Phone: 770-314-6282 (cell) E-mail: sbologna@kisales.com Eric Kenny The Hansen Group 1770 Breckinridge Pkwy Suite #400 Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: 404-702-7121 E-mail: ekenny@thehansengroup.net Michael Priest Paramount Marketing 76 Mosswood Trail, Newnan, GA 30265 Phone: 678-338-1291 Email: michaelpriest@pmgwins.com Becki Rogers PCS Revenue Control Systems, Inc. 2029 Spicers Lane Woodstock, GA 30189 Phone: 800-247-3061 ext. 1168 770-853-9289 E-mail: becki@pcsrcs.com Jon M. Samples Samples Foods 635 Green St, Atlanta, GA 30318 Phone: 404-391-2999 Email: jonsamples@samplesfoods.com Jennifer W. Sills Form Plastics Company 3825 Stern Avenue St. Charles, IL 60174-5457 Phone: 630-443-1400 / 407-739-3020 (cell) E-mail: jsills@formplastics.com Dennis Williams (one year term) Williams Institutional Foods PO Box 370 Douglas, GA 31533 Phone: 912-384-5270 ext 220 E-mail: denniswilliams@williams-foods.com
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
School Nutrition: A Georgia State of Mind! Mark your calendars and plan to join us for these events during 2014-2015 School Year. Georgia School Nutrition Association
2014 National School Lunch Week Kick-Off Luncheon & Seminar, September 25, 2014 – Macon Centreplex, Macon, GA Mark your calendars for GSNA’s 2014 National School Lunch Week kickoff celebration of “Get in the Game.” Join us as we get up to date information on school nutrition issues and policies at one of our training sessions, celebrate school nutrition program achievements throughout the state and kick off National School Lunch Week! 2014 Commodity Reprocessing on Parade (CROP) Show, October 22, 2014 - The Classic Center – Athens, GA Gather useful information on Commodity Processing and other new products. Visit approved and potential processors. The vendors will exhibit their processed products made from USDA commodity foods. These products are offered to Georgia school systems under the State Processing Program. You will be able to taste test items and receive information on product availability, nutrient content, servings per case, and guaranteed minimum. The show will also feature vendors who serve as support suppliers for commodity food processors and vendors with new products to showcase. 2014 Managers’ Retreat and Training Summit, November 6-7, 2014 – Coastal Georgia Center, Savannah, GA GSN Foundation Managers’ Training is specialized training for Managers/Assistant Managers. Managers will assemble for learning that is focused on the needs of the manager in planning, implementing, and managing SN programs. 2014 GSNA Industry Seminar, December 7- 9, 2014 – Hyatt Hotel - Savannah, GA Don’t miss the GSNA Industry Seminar in beautiful Savannah. Join Industry partners to explore in depth “Hot Topics” such as menu and meal patterns. Plus experience the “Innovation Stations” that focus on new ideas and new products for your program. 2015 GSNA Legislative Conference, February 2-3, 2015 – Capitol Park Hotel – Atlanta, GA Join us as we prepare for the 2015 Georgia Legislative Session. We will plan our strategies and make connections with our legislators as we meet steps from the Georgia state capitol and then visit legislators at the capitol.
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The GSNA 60th Annual Conference, April 9-11, 2015 - Athens, GA “Get in the Game” Don’t be left out of the game as we return to Athens to celebrate GSNA’s “Diamond” Annual Conference. You will have opportunities to make connections, expand your knowledge and celebrate all the sparkling achievements of our members and chapters. We will shine bright as diamonds as we highlight our success in telling our stories and celebrate all things school nutrition.
2014-2015 Platinum Supporters as of August 2014
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
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Fall 2014
Georgia Gems
Around the State! GSNA District 2
GSNA District 1
Savannah Chatham County Fuel Up First award from SUDIA and GADOE 2014 for increasing breakfast participation by 42%.
National Breakfast Week at Lake Park Elementary School, Dougherty County. The nutrition staff designed t-shirts and had fund raiser to purchase them for National School Breakfast Week.
Grady County had “Feed My School” for a week at Southside Elementary. We fed over 75% Georgia Grown products during this week. We held an Agriculture Expo with Commissioner Black and Darlene Taylor in attendance. Mr. Black also brought Georgie along.
GSNA District 3
Attendees of the TDI4 class held at Perdue Elementary School in Houston County.
Muscogee County School Nutrition Program had two people attend the Culinary 2 training this year. Gunnika Rivera and Susan Funderburk had a wonderful time. They learned a lot and made some new friends.
At the “Food For Thought” site children enjoyed a free sack lunch, playing and devotional. Tift area YMCA and United Way of South Central Georgia are collaborating with Tift County Schools’ Nutrition Director Vanessa Hayes.
GSNA District 4
Sumter County arriving in Boston to enjoy SNA ANC. Girls just want to have fun! SeKeithia Lewis, Sarah Slappey, Martha Harvey, Michelle Bush, and Diane Monts.
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Rockdale County Public Schools, Rockdale Emergency Relief and Bread of Life Development Ministries joined together to ensure that children receive a healthy, balanced, and delicious meals throughout the summer.
Dee Baum and Sandy Chatham at the Gwinnett County School Nutrition End of the Year” celebration. We had a theme of the Roaring 20’s. Schools were asked to decorate their own tables. And if they choose they could dress up.
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Around the State! GSNA District 6
Griffin Spalding County employees looked sporty in their nutrition shirts while attending the 6th District PEP Workshop at Mary Persons High School in Monroe County.
Jones County SN staff placed in the 2014 District Culinary Art Competition. Lisa Bloodworth (R), placed 1st in the Chicken Entree. Martha Baggarley (C) and Lynn Haralson (L), placed 3rd in District. Baggarley’s entry was Vegetable Side Dish and Haralson’s entry was Breakfast with Whole Grain.
Fayette County managers completed CPR training and Fire Safety training. They learned CPR and how to use the fire extinguisher. Students at Skyview Elementary in Bibb County putting on a GA Grown parade for Feed my School for Week.
Clayton County School Jonesboro High Staff Celebrating School Lunch Super Hero Day
GSNA District 7
Representatives from District 7 at Leadership training in Augusta.
Douglas County represented at Leadership Training in Augusta.
Paulding County at Leadership Meeting June 2014. Donna Rice and Gail Custard.
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Around the State! GSNA District 8
The 8th District Officers held their District Training Workshop for local officers in June in Waycross. Over 30 local officers from around District 8 were trained in each of the Pillars of the Plan of Action. A Chinese buffet was enjoyed by all and everyone walked away ready to apply for a Gold Scroll!
Cook County planning for the year.
School Lunch Hero Day was celebrated at the Bacon County Primary School. May 2, 2014 all the Lunch Hero’s received Cards of thanks and encouragement from Primary’s NAC Group. Lots of thank you’s from the whole school.
Brantley County SNP celebrated their Annual Awards Banquet with lots of “Quacking.” Each school decorated their table with the Duck Dynasty theme and was judged for best depiction of the theme. Awards and Special Recognition was part of the program and everyone was treated to a Low Country Boil. BCMS, who hosted the event, dressed up as Phil, Si, and all the rest!
Coffee County had summer feeding sites with free book giveaways. Pierce County Blackshear Elementary had students name their staff. They are pictured with the Super Hero they named.
Glynn County school nutrition catered the reception for the annual Golden Rule Awards ceremony which recognizes school employees and students who exemplify the Golden rule Character Law, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Catering was primarily provided by the Jane Macon Middle School staff and their SFS Manager, Ms. Celina McMillian. 12
McIntosh County employees inservice team building activity with spaghetti and marshmallows. Pictured are Mary Bradley, ToddGrant; Bertha McKnight, MCA; Marlo Curry, Todd-Grant and Jerry Hollis
Dr. Josephine Martin and Pam Boyd Valdosta City School Nutrition Director in Boston for ANC Conference.
Fall 2014
Georgia Gems
Around the State! GSNA District 9
Students from elementary through high school were fed breakfast and lunch with the Summer Feeding program in Barrow County.
Fannin County’s Mildred Johnson, manager of Blue Ridge Elementary School was the “School Lunch Hero.” The students appreciated her involvement along with the entire student body as they dressed up as a super hero for the day.
Forsyth County elected officers: April Cox, Dawn Garrett, GSNA President Valerie Bowers, Tammy Bean and Kathy Mueller enjoy a day of knowledge, fun and fellowship at Leadership Conference.
Jackson County School Nutrition was pleased to participate in the 2014 Seamless Summer Feeding Program, where free meals are provided for children during the summer. The system had 5 mobile routes; the bus drivers would drive the meals to different site location in the county. Pictured above the summer feeding crew has prepared the meals and are packing them for delivery each day. Approximately 620 to 1427 lunch meals were packed and prepared daily.
GSNA District 10
Columbia County Baker Place Elementary School shows the NAC students different ways to present fresh fruit., The students loved them all.
Columbia County Baker Place Elementary students made us hundreds of very sweet and fun cards presented during the “Super Heroes in a Hairnet” Day. Richmond County Tamecka Crawford and Shirley Jefferson, Culinary II graduates.
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Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
GSNA Conference
April 11-13
President’s Award: Local, Houston County, Tessany Lewis, President
Culinary Arts Award: Vegetable Side Dish 1st Place: Dee Mathis, Forsyth County
Savannah, GA
President’s Award: District 4, Cheryl Jones, President
Culinary Arts Award: Chicken Entrée 1st Place: Diane May, Baldwin County
Culinary Arts Award: Breakfast Whole Grain 1st Place: Heather Weiss, Cherokee County GSNA President’s Award: District - District 4, Cheryl Jones, President Local - Houston County – Tessany Lewis, President Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Linda Waters, Gilmer County Director of the Year: Linda Waters, Gilmer County
Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Breakfast 1st Place: Jane Raburn, Carrollton City
Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Lunch/Dessert 1st Place: Ann Hamner, Gwinnett County
Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support: April Bohannon, Houston County Louise Sublette: 1st Place - Marsha Carlson, Brantley County 2nd Place - April Cox, Forsyth County 3rd Place - Jennifer Howard, Houston County
Georgia Gems
Heart of Program: 1st Place - Christine Sampson, Houston County 2nd Place - Regina Breed, Rockdale County Ann C. Smith: Gretchen Schulz 2014 Culinary Arts Awards Breakfast Whole Grain First Place - Heather Weiss, Cherokee County Second Place - Ginger Worley, Brantley County Third Place - Ashley Whitener, Richmond County Chicken Entrée First Place - Diane May, Baldwin County Second Place - Lisa Bloodworth, Jones County Third Place - Ann Hamner Gwinnett County Vegetable Side Dish First Place - Dee Mathis, Forsyth County Second Place - Janet Mutombo, Richmond County Third Place - Debi Bray, Rockdale County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Breakfast First Place – Jane Raburn, Carrollton City Second Place – Ann Hamner, Gwinnett County Third Place – Marie May Lowndes, County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Lunch/Dessert First Place - Ann Hamner, Gwinnett County Second Place - Jennifer Scott, Houston County Third Place – Jane Raburn, Carrollton City Marie McGlaun ALIRT Award First Place National Contacts for District District Three – Carolyn Ross, President First Place State Contacts for District Chapter District Three – Carolyn Ross, President First Place National Contacts for Local Chapter Houston County – Tessany Lewis, President First Place State Contacts for Local Chapter Rockdale County – Debbie Petty , President NAC Art Contest First Place K-5 Category Gwinnett County - WC Britt Elementary - Kelsey Hayes First Place 6-8 Category Forsyth County - Lakeside Middle - Ammon Lewis First Place 9-12 Category Thomas County - Thomas County Central High - Asia Gurule NAC of Year First Place - Baker Place Elementary - Columbia County - Rita McDonald Second Place - Central High - Bibb County Theresa Cantrell Third Place - Richmond County Technical Careers Magnet Ashley Whitener
Fall 2014
Wellness Award Chatham County School Nutrition Best Chapter Participation Award Coffee County School Nutrition 2014 Scroll Awards District Chapter Name President 1 District One Ronnie Kellam SILVER 2 Thomas County Mary Shrout SILVER 2 Grady County Mallory Flowers CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION 2 District Two Marie Johnson GOLD 3 Twiggs County Mary Rozier CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION 3 Houston County Tessany Lewis GOLD 3 District Three Carolyn Ross GOLD 4 Rockdale County Debra Petty GOLD 4 Gwinnett County Michael McEvoy GOLD 4 District Four Cheryl Jones GOLD 4 Annette Bomar Hopgood Chapter Gladys Glover GOLD 4 Walton County Carla Baker BRONZE 6 Carroll County Tona Cook SILVER 6 Clayton County Karen Seay SILVER 6 Jones County Linda Kitchens GOLD 6 Carrollton City Michelle Mann GOLD 6 District Six Laverne Sims GOLD 6 Bibb County Sandra Sweat GOLD 6 Thomaston-Upson County Sherry Maddox BRONZE 6 Griffin Spalding Lisa Lance BRONZE 7 Paulding County Donna Rice SILVER 7 Douglas County Kerry Ann Burnett SILVER 7 District Seven William Owens GOLD 7 Cobb County Donna Boik GOLD 7 Cherokee County Sandy Davis BRONZE 8 Bacon County Linda Wright SILVER 8 Jeff Davis County Margaret Rentz SILVER 8 Lowndes County Vickey Reed SILVER 8 Pierce County Retta Rowe SILVER 8 Coffee County Celeste Williams GOLD 8 Brantley County Aline Washam GOLD 8 Valdosta City Johnnie Woods GOLD 8 District Eight Libby Peters GOLD 8 Ware County Sherry Bailey GOLD 8 Cook County Shirley Williams BRONZE 9 Jackson County Andy Gentry SILVER 9 Forsyth County Terri Smith SILVER 9 District Nine Dawn Garrett GOLD 9 Barrow County Ellen McCully BRONZE 10 Baldwin County Diane May SILVER 10 District Ten Jeanne Starr GOLD 10 Richmond Cnty Darlene Dickerson GOLD 10 Columbia County Angela Sharp BRONZE
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Fall 2014
Georgia Gems
Director of the Year and Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Linda Waters – Gilmer County
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t is a rare occurrence that one person takes TWO of the highest honors that GSNA awards! This year one of GSNA’s and school nutrition‘s longtime champions was honored with both the Director of the Year and Josephine Martin Award of Excellence awards. Linda Waters of Gilmer County has been a fixture in school nutrition for over 26 years. She has been a manager, drector and even served as the executive director of Georgia School Nutrition Association. Linda has worked in DeKalb, Decatur City, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Gilmer counties and enhanced each of those programs by implementing professional training and building a team spirit. A highlight of Linda’s time as a school nutrition manager is being one of the first in the country to implement selfserve at an elementary school. As a director Linda has had many achievements. In Decatur City, she started an after school snack program in all elementary schools, plus a day care center at the High School, and increased participation by 20%. In Gwinnett, Linda coordinated in-service training for over 600 staff, and developed a nutrition education curriculum guide for high school health and physical education teachers. In Rockdale County, she increased net worth while purchasing over $500,000 in new equipment, centralized free and reduced applications and began a catering program. Currently, as school nutrition director in Gilmer County, Linda’s focus has been on improving the professionalism of the staff and thus, the meals served to students. Since coming to Gilmer County, lunch participation has increased
15% and the operating balance of the program has increased each year. A new computer system has been installed, as well as kitchen equipment and even uniforms for the staff. Linda started a “Seamless Summer” Linda Waters, Gilmer County program, feeding local children through the summer. The community had a great need for this and Linda was determined to change this situation. She set up mobile feeding sites, and now these same sites have visits from the book mobile and even a local “traveling carnival” for the kids. The benefits of the summer feeding program have been featured on the local WXIA-TV station as well as in the local publications. Her employees and colleagues say, “She has opened doors for us to have much deserved positive publicity that has boosted morale in our kitchens as well as in our community.” Linda’s talents and efforts reflect the ideals of both the Director of the Year and the Josephine Martin Award of Excellence in every aspect. As her superintendent says, “Linda has brought about changes to improve the system fiscally, the students nutritionally, and the community educationally. She has proved herself to be a leader and manager not only in the schools but in the community.”
2014 Heart of the Program – Christine Sampson, Houston County
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chool Nutrition is not my job, but my calling,” says Christine Sampson. This exemplifies why “Ms. Christine,” known by the students at her school in Houston County, is the GSNA 2014 Heart of the Program recipient.
Christine serves both breakfast and lunch to “her babies” at Perdue Elementary School. Her smile and her food are simply an extension of herself. Her personality is especially suited to working in a primary school. She makes the children and parents feel welcomed. She was recently celebrated as a “School Lunch Hero” – a lunch lady who doesn’t stop just because school lets out for the summer – on a major central Georgia news Christine Sampson, Houston County outlet for her dedication to children during the summer. She drives the van delivering meals for the summer feeding program twice a day.
Houston County School Nutrition Director Meredith Potter says of Christine, “She is definitely at the top of the list when I think of an example of excellent rapport with both students and teachers. Christine has been a cornerstone of the 16 lunchroom staff for 12 years, and during that time her enthusiastic ‘Good Morning’ is treasured by all.”
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award – April Bohannon, Houston County
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he 2014 Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award winner April Bohannon exemplifies the word support. She is an integral part of the Houston County School Nutrition program and her experience as a school level manager has given her the experience to excel in her central office position as an area manager at large/Nutrition Education coordinator. She is willing to jump in and help the school level staff with POS entries and free and reduced applications. April also keeps track of all the professional development tasks for the department, including O.N.E and TID (Training In Depth) classes and is responsible for 37 nutrition education budgets. She is a committed GSNA volunteer and serves on the local and district level. With her assistance, Houston County has achieved 100% Membership in GSNA and most of those are also SNA certified. This is not an easy feat with a large system of nearly 400 employees!
April Bohannon, Houston County
April used her exceptional organizational skills to coordinate the entry of an association float in the, “There’s’ Magic in the Fair” parade for the Georgia National Fair. This float, called “Magically Delicious ” won second place and promoted School Nutrition to the whole community. “April forms part of the backbone of our program, and she interacts with each and every manager, food assistant and central office member to help us be successful in our mission,” says her director, Meredith Potter.
Louise Sublette Award – Marsha Carlson, Brantley County Hang out or hunger? This was the dilemma faced by students at one Brantley County school. Students being students more often than not opted for “hanging out”. GSNA’s 2014 Louise Sublette Award winner, Marsha Carlson noticed that students were skipping breakfast and decided to do something about it. Marsha decided she was going to increase breakfast participation at her Middle school, while also keeping teachers happy and allowing students some social time in the morning. More specifically, the goal was to increase breakfast participation from 32 % to 85%, and to sustain this rate for 3 consecutive months. Marsha started planning this project in School Year 12-13, and implemented it in the fall of 2014. She met with the Principal first, followed by meetings with faculty, staff and parents to explain the concept of “Grab and Go Breakfast” to be served from carts in the hallways. She worked with her staff to identify the equipment and food items needed for this project, and applied for grants from both “Action for Healthy Kids” and Southeast United Dairy Association for insulated milk crate bags. The school received a $5000 Marsha Carlson, Brantley County grant and 18 milk crate bags! In addition, the staff built their own rolling carts with awnings to transport the food items into the hallways. Then, the staff worked on educating students on the benefits of a healthy breakfast and started the program at the beginning of school in 2013. The results were spectacular! Participation increased to 93 % during the first six months of the year and in addition, discipline referrals dropped from 218 to 153 during the comparable time periods. A great success, Marsha, for “Building Healthy Children, Ready to Learn”! 17
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Smoothing the way to a trouble-free lunchroom!
Productive, efficient, easy-to-use food service technology? Check. District office to inventory to cafeteria? Covered. The experience and personal attention to keep it all moving like clockwork? Just ask our customers. Contact us today at 1-800-541-8999 or visit us at www.MealsPlus.com.
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Corporate Members as of August 2014 ACC Distributor’s, Inc. AccuTemp Products, Inc. Advantage Waypoint American Foods Group, LLC Apex Chemical/Tandem Blue Bell Creameries Borden Dairy Company Brazeal-Wilson: Design & Decor Bridgford Foods Corp. Brookwood Farms, Inc. Bull’s Eye Brand, Smart Mouth Pizza Cargill Foodservice Carman Girard Associates Cavendish Farms Champion Foodservice, LLC Charles Pace & Associates Inc. Cohen Food Brokerage Colorpoint div. of Low Temp Industries ConAgra Foods Country Pure Foods Creative Uniforms, Inc CTB Foodservice Cybersoft Technologies, Inc Dessert Innovations, LLC Dexter’s Farm Direct South Don Lee Farms Ecolab, Inc. Food Service Applications, Inc. Form Plastics Company General Mills Georgia Peanut Commission Georgia Power Company Gordon Food Service Gregory Packaging, Inc. Hadley Farms, Inc. Heartland School Solutions Hopco Foodservice Marketing Horizon Software International, LLC HumiTEC Corporation Idahoan Foods, LLC Integrity Foods, Inc. Island Oasis JTM Food Group Kellogg’s Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc. Kent Quality Foods Key Impact Sales & Systems, Inc.
Lagniappe Sales Learning ZoneXpress Long & Littleton, Inc. M & B Products, Inc. Manning Bros Food Service Equipment Marjon Specialty Foods, Inc. Master Marketing Sunlow Mayfield Dairy Farms, Inc. MCS Software Meals Plus/Education Mgmt. Systems Mobile Fixture and Equipment Co., Inc. GA Division NatureSeal, Inc. Norvell Fixture & Equip. Co., Inc. Nutri-Link Technologies, Inc. Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service Paramount Marketing Group Par-Pak Inc PCS Revenue Control Systems, Inc. PepsiCo FoodService Plas-Tique Products, Inc. PMR, Inc. Preferred Packaging Sales & Service Premier Equipment Group, Inc. Prime Pak Pro View Foods Red River Commodities/Sun Butter Rich Products Corporation Samples Institutional Foods SaniTech Systems Schwan’s Food Service, Inc. SEMA, Inc. SFSPac Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Southern Equipment Fabricators, Inc. Steve’s Frozen Chillers, Inc Studio 84 Designs StyroGreen Recycling, LLC Supreme Foodservice Sales The Hansen Group TriMark Trinidad Benham Company True Food Service Equipment Uniform Sales of America, Inc. Upstate Niagara Cooperative US Foods Whaley Foodservice Williams Institutional Foods Winston Industries 19
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
GSNA 2014-2015 Culinary Contests Tasty and Tempting Peanut Recipe Contest GSNA is once again partnering with the Georgia Peanut Commission for the Tasty and Tempting Peanut Recipe Contest. Please spread the word throughout your district and encourage members to participate. Create your recipes for Breakfast, Lunch/Dessert and Snack using peanuts and enter to win great prizes. The contest will be held in conjunction with GSNA’s Annual Culinary Arts competition and final entries judged at the GSNA State Culinary Arts Competition in March 2015 at Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Tucker, GA. One prize of $1,000 will also be awarded to the school system that uses the most poundage of peanuts and/or peanut butter based on a per student amount during a specified time period.
The Tasty and Tempting Peanut Recipes Contest is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission, representing Georgia Peanut Farmers In cooperation with Georgia School Nutrition Association. The categories for the GSNA Culinary Contest are: • Unique Breakfast Fruit Cup • Outside the Box WG Cinnamon Roll • Low Sodium Entrée Please visit www.georgiaschoolnutrition.com and click under Resources/ Award Forms for additional rules, guidelines and forms for the culinary contests.
GSNA and SNA Breakfast in the Classroom GSNA is joining forces with SNA for “Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC). GSNA will receive a grant from the School Nutrition Foundation for funds to promote universal breakfast in the classroom for high need and low participation schools. GSNA will participate in the BIC Summit and webinars as well as provide educational sessions on BIC.
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GSNA Thanks Our 2014-2015 Sponsors (as of August 2014) Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Industry Seminar
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Fall 2014
Georgia Gems
Fall 2014
Legislative Issues Matter by Linette Dodson, PhD, RD, LD, SNS - GSNA 2014-15 Public Policy and Legislation Co-Chair
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s we begin a new school year, I would like to take the opportunity to encourage everyone to enhance their dedication to what we do every day to provide the best for our students by getting involved with the legislative process and support school nutrition. If you are not familiar with the legislative process, the first step is to find out what state legislative district you live in and your state senators and representatives. Also become familiar with who your national senators and representatives are. Because the school nutrition program is federally funded and also receives state funding, it is important to stay aware of both the national and the state level issues. First and foremost, make sure that you are a registered voter so that you can vote in all of the elections. The next important step is to understand the issues associated with the school nutrition program. Pay attention to what is happening with issues related to our program. Watch the news, read legislative updates from reputable sources and then research issues further to have the most educated understanding of how proposed legislation will impact the students we serve. Become involved in GSNA by attending the state legislative action conference in Atlanta in February 2015. This is an excellent opportunity to visit your local state legislators and see the legislative process in action. Ideally develop a positive relationship especially with our local state legislators so that when issues develop,
you are familiar to them. Then at home be sure to attend local and district Georgia School Nutrition Association meetings throughout the year to stay informed on issues impacting school nutrition. GSNA will present important issues during the school year and encourage members to contact their local legislators concerning them, please be sure to take the opportunity to make your voice heard by contacting your legislators about important issues. As we approach the reauthorization of the national school meal programs, it is crucial for all of our members to stay current and informed on this process. Without adequate federal support for our program, the students who depend everyday on our healthy, tasty meals and snacks to ensure that they are ready to learn and perform academically at school will be the ones to suffer. Understanding the significance of this responsibility, should encourage all of us to become involved in the legislative process which will add value to the daily work we do. Get involved, get informed and get active in the legislative process! Begin by telling your story to your legislators. It is important to promote the successful things being done in school nutrition programs throughout Georgia. Remember your voice counts and our students’ deserve delicious, healthy school meals and snacks.
GSNA Legislative Donations GSNA thanks all the local and district associations for their legislative donations. State legislative efforts are of benefit to all school nutrition staff and your donation assist in these efforts. Top three legislative donations for 2014 are: 1. Cobb County 2. Clayton County 3. Richmond County
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Fall 2014
ImprovE Your KItChEn opErAtIons wIth ElECtrIC CooKIng
Discover the Electric Cooking Advantage® The changes can be dramatic. Electric cooking equipment provides low operating and maintenance costs, quick preheat and recovery times and improved profitability. All adding up to a winning grade. And, with electric cooking equipment, kitchen temperatures will be cooler making kitchen staff and students much happier. Learn all about The Electric Cooking Advantage® and more at our new Customer Resource Center. Visit georgiapower.com/crc or call 770.216.1400.
© 2014 Georgia Power Company. All rights reserved.
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“In schools where old equipment is being replaced, the smart choice is electric. We chose electric equipment based on the low cost to own and operate, cleanliness of cooking, equipment dependability and the consistent production of high quality menu items for our students and teachers.” – Dr. Cleta J. Long, School Nutrition Director Bibb County Schools
2014 Annual Conference April 10-12 Jekyll Island, GA
2372 Main St. Tucker, Georgia 30084
Thanks to Our 2014-2015 Sponsors (as of August 2014) Platinum Sponsors