Georgia Gems Fall 2017 by Plus One Media

Georgia Gems Fall 2017

A Publication of the Georgia School Nutrition Association

h c r w a o r e g s h s e i v r e u i o h n c

2017 GSNA Annual Conference April 20-22 â&#x20AC;¢ Jekyll Island, GA

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

Published by the Georgia School Nutrition Association

Inside This Issue 2017 GSNA Annual Conference 2017-2018 Officers President Laura Lynn President-elect Nicole James Secretary April Cox Treasurer Paige Holland System Level Section Chair Keshia Williams School Level Section Chair Nancy Bourke 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 GSNA Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/GeorgiaSNA GSNA Twitter: @GA_SNA GSNA YouTube: GeorgiaSNA GSNA Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/georgiasna/

Share your news with other members! Send items and photos to patrice@ georgiaschoolnutrition.com To Advertise in Georgia Gems Contact: Melissa Connor (404) 735-4750 Plus One Media, Inc. melissa@plusonemedia.com Georgia Gems is published twice 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).

IFC

From the President

School Level Chair Message

System Level Chair Message

Chair of District Presidents Message

2017-2018 GSNA Calendar

GSNA Industry Advisory Board

2017-2018 GSNA Meetings and Event Calendar

Around the State!

GSNA Annual Conference Award Winners

GSNA Director of the Year and SNA Southeast Regional Director of the Year: Dr. Cleta Long

GSNA Employee of the Year: Poilette Colbourne – Rockdale County

GSNA Josephine Martin Award for Excellence: Sheila Cooper – Coffee County

GSNA Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award: Alison Strait – Pierce County

GSNA Manager of the Year: Tamecka Crawford – Richmond County

2017 NAC Art Winners

Corporate Members

We Are One — Advocacy Makes a Difference

2017 SNA Annual Conference Thanks GSNA 2017-2018 Sponsors!

IBC Back cover 1

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

From the President Metanoia: (n.) the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way of life. If you were asked, “Where do you want your journey to lead you this year?” What would you say? Would your answer include learn more, be kinder, meet new friends, or make a difference? I really like the term Metanoia because we are all on some type of journey and no one person travels down the same path. Our paths may be close to each other, however, who we are as a person shapes the road we travel and our stops along the way. The Leadership and Advocacy Training that was held in June was to me a life-changing mountain that many were fortunate to climb. Learning more about the map that lies before us in the Plan of Action and how to ACHIEVE a Gold Scroll will direct each of our local and district chapters this year in what will prove to be the best year ever! A crucial navigating tool, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, was given to every participant and we were so blessed to be guided by four of the best tour guides our state has been fortunate to have as leaders. Jimmie Barnett, Don Williams, Joan Williams and Valerie Bowers did an exceptional job in delivering to us how four simple sentences can be life changing. Metanoia. I am still flying high from meeting you at ANC in Atlanta! Talk about a trip of a lifetime….I would dare say that anyone that attended ANC walked away with arms full of samples, a smile on their face and a glistening brow…wink, wink! Although it was warm, I know everyone enjoyed the HOT TOPICS and COOL IDEAS! If you saw the state picture, you know that over 400 attendees represented Georgia! Way to show up GSNA! So where do we go next? What is your next adventure? How will your life be changed by GSNA? I hope that all of you are planning to be at the Annual Kick Off Luncheon in

Macon in September. It’s going to be a great family reunion so be prepared to share your best recipes as we look forward to a successful NSLW! Have you ever been on a safari or traveled to the rain forest? How about the swamp where alligators and bears roam freely? Well get ready for a true adventure as the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross plays host to Managers Retreat! All kinds of interesting things are bound to be found as we explore and learn together! I could go on and on about our journey this year….I am so excited to be traveling with you! My plan is to help you GROW, SEARCH, NOURISH & ACHIEVE this year as we make our way together through this thing called LIFE! I am very proud to be your leader, guide, mentor but most especially, your friend. I leave you with this quote from Nicholas Sparks book The Longest Ride. “If we’d never met, I think I would have known my life wasn’t complete. And I would have wandered the world in search of you, even if I didn’t know who I was looking for.” See you soon!

Laura Lynn GSNA President, 2017-2018

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

School Level Chair Message Hello Fellow GSNA Members: I am honored and humbled to be your School Level Chair. This year will be an exciting one with Laura Lynn as our leader. As I look back on Leadership Training and ANC, I am in awe of all of our awesome leaders. I also know that there are many more out there. So come and join us. We are looking forward to Kick-off Luncheon on September 21 in Macon and Manager’s Retreat in November. Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns. Our GSNA journey will be incredible as we Grow, Search, Nourish and Achieve. Sky’s the Limit!!!!! Nancy Bourke, GSNA School Level Chair 2017-2018 Nancy_Bourke@Gwinnett.k12.ga.us

System Level Chair Message Georgiaaaa! Goodness, I love the beginning of a new school year and here we are again. I always take pride in things being new - new friends, new adventures, and an opportunity to determine my new goals. I usually allow the beginning of a new school year to be the time of when I decide what my upcoming goals are and what I hope to achieve. Do you have the same strategy? Have you contemplated goals or changes that you want to accomplish? This could be with your school nutrition program, in your personal life, or maybe even an idea to start a new adventure. What goals do you have in place to ensure that this school year is the greatest yet? Please take the time to share them with me. We are a greater force when we support one another. As my final year as System-Level Chair, I hope our journey together is unforgettable and I feel confident that we will #ShakeItUpGA in a dynamic way. There is a new project that is coming to light and we want you to be a part of it with us! At Leadership and Legislative Conference in June, Young Professionals was introduced as a new committee within GSNA. YP’s are committed to showcasing that age is just a number, yet our work ethic and innovation is strong. We would love to have more members join this #YPcommittee to work on future projects and upcoming events. Please contact Laura Lynn or myself if you are interested. Between Kick-Off Luncheon, CROP Show, Directors Conference, Equipment Academy, GSNA’s Annual Conference in Savannah, and Leadership Academy (you know who you are) we are all destine to grow in various capacities and hopefully a goal or two is encompassed in one of these events. As I do each year, I encourage each of you to make two goals, write them down, and come back to them around Conference in April. Strive hard to make your goals become a reality. Always remember to focus on your goals. Don’t look in any direction but ahead and when it starts to get tough don’t decrease the goal, increase the effort. Healthy Regards, Keshia Williams, GSNA System Level Chair keshia.williams@haralson.k12.ga.us

Georgia Gems

Chair of District Presidents Message As Chair of District Presidents I am honored to serve all of you as we begin our journey of Growing, Searching, Nourishing and Achieving our goal. At our Leadership Meeting in Milledgeville, this was the first time that we broke the District Presidents out to learn, nourish and grow together. We had a very good class and learned a lot together. We are on the road to success as we begin our journey together for a new year. Reach out to your District Presidents for advice. Let them help you grow, search, nourish and achieve your goal for this year. As we move forward to our Kick-off Luncheon for National School Lunch Week, I hope that you can attend the seminars and take back to your people that are in your district things that you have learned in the classes. Remember, we are one; we help each other to achieve the goal. I will leave you with this quote, “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” —Christian Larson Let the Journey Begin! Sheila Cooper, GSNA Chair of District Presidents Area Coordinator Coffee County School Nutrition Sheila.cooper@coffee.k12.ga.us

Fall 2017

2017-2018 Calendar GSNA NSLW Kick Off Luncheon September 21, 2017 Macon Centreplex - Macon, GA National School Lunch Week 2017 October 9-13, 2017 “School Lunch: Recipe for Success” GSNA CROP Show October 11, 2017 Classic Center, Athens, GA GSNA Managers’ Retreat & Training Summit November 2-3, 2017 Okefenokee Swamp Park Waycross, GA GSNA Equipment Academy January 17-19, 2018 GA National Fairgrounds, Perry, GA School Nutrition Industry Conference January 21-23, 2018 New Orleans, LA GSNA Executive Board Meeting January 27, 2018 Macon, GA GSNA Legislative Advocacy Conference February 7-8, 2018 Fairfield Inn, Atlanta, GA GSNA School Nutrition Assistants Program February 12, 2018 — Suwanee, GA February 14, 2018 — Macon, GA February 15, 2018 — Statesboro, GA February 16, 2018 — Valdosta, GA SNA Legislative Action Conference March 4-6, 2018 Washington, DC

Serving the Best BBQ in the South!

National School Breakfast Week 2018 March 5-9, 2018 “I Heart School Breakfast” GSNA 2018 Annual Conference April 11- 14, 2018 Savannah, GA SNA 2018 ANC July 8-11, 2018 Las Vegas, NV

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

SAVE the DATE Georgia Equipment Academy

HOW LONG 2 1/2 Day Event 20 hours-Training Credits-Codes TBA

Exclusive Energy Sponsor

WHERE Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia WHY ATTEND Experience, Learn and Define what could serve your districts equipment needs! Key Large equipment categories will be presented that will help you solve problems and save you valuable time in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchens like: Combi Ovens Grab-N-Go Merchandising Display Lines Mobile Serving Stations Ventless Cooking Tilting Skillets & Kettles Food Packaging Systems Temp Monitoring Ventless Warewashing Frozen Drink Machines Food Processing Equipment Milk Coolers Receive tools on how to create a kitchen equipment needs platform for equipment bids 1 on 1 time with manufacturer representatives, chefs and dealer sale people Lunches Provided on Full Schedule Class Days Evening Cocktail / Networking Reception Door Prizes & Drawing for Attendees For more information contact Daphne Webb at GSNA daphne@georgiaschoolnutrition.com 770-934-8890

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Let’s Make it a Great Year! by Warren Goldsmith, GSNA Industry Advisory Board, Premier Equipment, Inc.

I’M ALWAYS AMAZED at how complicated the world of School Nutrition seems to be. Very seldom do I leave a meeting with a school nutrition professional that I don’t learn something new about nutrition, federal guidelines, labor, purchasing and the list seems to go on and on. My hat is off to the men and women who keep our children fed and instill healthy eating habits at the same time. The job’s not easy but it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm that each of you bring to your work. I want to thank you on behalf of industry members and The Industry Advisory Board for all you do. We are off to an amazing start this year. ANC17 was a huge success and it was great to see Georgia School Nutrition shine bright. The IAB is excited to be working with Laura Lynn, GSNA President, as she promotes her Grow, Search, Nourish, Achieve… Let the Journey Begin theme. The message to strive every day to improve ourselves and improve in everything we do is something that we can all applaud and get behind.

Georgia School Nutrition Association District/State Culinary Arts Competition

Georgia School Nutrition Association State Culinary Contest Take a trip with us!!!

New Award Levels First $250 Second $175 Third $100 Is your best dish good enough to win? Bring it and find out!

The Industry Advisory Board as well as all industry members are ready to partner with you to accomplish your goals. Whether it is teaching a PEP workshop session, supporting the Georgia and National LAC trips, or providing product training for your staff, industry members have the knowledge and desire to support school nutrition. Some of our recent successes that support our foundation are The Speakers Bureau and the Together We Golf Fundraiser. This year we have an initiative to provide real time, industry information to directors and their staff that can help them easily and quickly, locate products and resources that are needed. One of my big takeaways a few years ago was the continued reminder from Vanessa Hayes that our business and our association is about relationships. I am proud of the relationship that Industry has with GSNA. Let’s make it our goal to continue to build new relationships and strengthen existing relationships. If anyone is interested in knowing more about how the IAB works or if you are interested in serving and not sure how to get involved, please give me a call or send me an email. Finally, a special thanks to Susan and her staff for all the hard work that they do to make the Georgia School Nutrition Association and all of the events that we attend huge successes. Warren Goldsmith Industry Advisory Board Premier Equipment Group, Inc wgoldsmith@premierequip.com

Three categories

2017-2018 Industry Partners Breakfast Flatbread: Prepare a hearty WG flatbread that will help your students start their day off with a unique and delicious entrée. Sweet, savory, spicy or all of the above…it’s your choice! Lunch in a Cup: No time to waste...prepare a lunch that is served in a cup so your students are eating healthy on the go. To get you started, be sure to include at least 2 oz Meat/Meat Alternate, 1oz WG and ¼ cup of Veggies. Cobbler, Crunch or Crisp with Blueberries and Peaches: Nothing says comfort like a cobbler! Prepare your best cobbler, crisp or crunch that includes at least 1oz WG and ¾ cup of Blueberries & Peaches. Yum!

Even if you do not bring a dish, bring yourself to cheer on those who do! Great time to network and see how everyone else is doing! Local winners advance to District - District winners advance to The State Competition March 2018 State winners receive a monetary award and will be announced at the

GSNA Annual Conference - April 2018 in Savanah, Georgia

District 1: Jan Arms District 2: Kristin Dukes District 3: Mark Conoly District 4: Warren Goldsmith District 4: Warren Goldsmith District 6: Scott Reeves District 7: Jason Hicks District 8: David Pearson District 9: Misty Friedman District 10: David Thomas

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

2017-18 advisory board Industry Advisory Board Chairman Warren Goldsmith Term Expires 2019 Premier Equipment Group, Inc. 5910 Shiloh Rd, E. Ste 122 Alpharetta, GA 30005 Phone: 770-205-6869 E-mail: wgoldsmith@premierequip.com Kristin Dukes Term Expires 2018 Cohen Food Brokerage PO Box 7657 Marietta, GA 30065 Phone: 229-942-6953 / 229-942-6953 E-mail: k.dukes@cohenfoods.com Misty Friedman Term Expires 2018 Georgia Department of Agriculture 304 Scott Street Commerce, GA 30529 Phone: 404-859-5029 E-mail: misty.friedman@agr.georgia.gov

Scott Reeves Term Expires 2018 Paramount Marketing Group 140 Satellite Blvd, Suite B2 Suwanee, GA 30024 Phone: 404-578-0746 E-mail: scottreeves@pmgwins.com Mark Conoly Term Expires 2019 Mobile Fixtures and Equipment Company 7373 Fortson Road Columbus, GA 31909 Phone: 706-506-8833 E-mail: mconoly@mobilefixture.com David Thomas Term Expires 2019 Integrity Foods, Inc. 4635 Church Road Ste. 200 Cumming, GA 30028 Phone: 678-513-7482 E-mail: david@integrity-foods.com

Jan Arms Term Expires 2020 SFSPac, a division of PortionPac Chemical Corp. 400 North Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 Phone:312-447-5265 Cell: 312-480-0064 E-mail: jarms@portionpaccorp.com Jason Hicks Term Expires 2020 The Core Group 1800 Phoenix Blvd. Building#200 Ste. 206 Atlanta, GA 30349 Phone: 770-881-5250 E-mail: jhicks@coregroupsales.com David Pearson Term Expires 2020 Charles Pace & Associates 430 Senoia Road Fairburn, GA 30213 Phone: 678-296-8104 E-mail: david@pacereps.com

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Georgia School Nutrition Association Meetings & Events 2017-2018 #TheJourney GSNA NSLW Kick Off Luncheon - “School Lunch: Recipe for Success” • Sept. 21, 2017 • Macon Centreplex - Macon, GA It’s time for our GSNA Family Reunion. Bring your best “Recipe for Success” and join us as we kick-off celebrations of the 2017 National School Lunch Week campaign “School Lunch: Recipe for Success.” We are back together again to celebrate school nutrition program achievements throughout the state. So come NOURISH your soul as we honor our media partners and showcase all that you can ACHIEVE in school nutrition. Seminar sponsored by 2017 Industry/SNP Training • The Classic Center • Athens, GA (day before CROP Show) • Oct.10, 2017 The Road to Procurement is long and winding…not easily traveled. Join us during this informative session to learn the ins and outs of procurement and bidding from the GaDOE SNP staff. School Nutrition Directors and Industry members will come together to help each other during this training session with everything you need to know to keep your business and program running smoothly. 2017 Commodity Reprocessing on Parade (CROP) Show • The Classic Center • Athens, GA • Oct. 11, 2017 • #CROP17 Approved and potential commodity processors will journey to Athens to exhibit their processed products made from USDA commodity foods. These products are offered to school systems under the State Processing Program and are vital to GROWING the SN program in Georgia. Attendees will be able to taste test items and receive information on product availability, nutrient content, servings per case, and guaranteed minimum. 2017 Managers’ Retreat and Training • Okefenokee Swamp Park • Waycross, GA • Nov. 2-3, 2017 • #ManagersRetreat17 School Nutrition Managers and Assistant Managers will retreat to the beautiful Okefenokee State Park to SEARCH for new paths that will help them on the continued journey of “Building Healthy Children, Ready to Learn.” The GSN Foundation Managers’ Retreat & Training focuses on the needs of the manager in planning, implementing, and managing SN programs. 2018 GSNA Equipment Academy • Georgia National Fairgrounds • Perry, GA • Jan. 16-19, 2018 • #EA2018 Travel on down to the fairgrounds! Don’t miss the biannual GSNA Equipment Academy. The academy will offer workshops and demonstrations to help you GROW in your knowledge of the newest, most up to date kitchen equipment available. Each attendee will ACHIEVE practical instruction on kitchen equipment used in schools throughout the state of Georgia. 2018 GSNA Legislative Advocacy Conference • Atlanta, GA • Feb. 7-8, 2018 • #GSNALAC18 All roads lead to the Gold Dome. School nutrition travelers from across the state converge on the state capital to map out the school nutrition advocacy agenda for the next year. Lobbying for school nutrition is MORE important than ever! So join us as we prepare for the 2018 Georgia Legislative Session where we will let our collective voices be heard. 2018 School Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) • Feb. 12, Suwanee • Feb. 14, Macon • Feb. 15, Statesboro • Feb. 16, Valdosta vNorth vSouth vEast vWest…Food Assistants from across the state will have multiple opportunities to “GROW” in knowledge, “SEARCH” for solutions, “NOURISH” their souls and “ACHIEVE” excellence at this exciting and motivating training session designed to fit the needs of school nutrition employees that actually work “in” the kitchen. The GSNA 63rd Annual Conference • Savannah, GA “Destination Savannah 2018” • April 11-14, 2018 Destination Savannah • #Destination18 Destination Savannah Final destination - Savannah! Our journey culminates in the beautiful, enchanting city of Savannah. Each of the stops along the way helped us arrive at the most “Swingin’” celebration of the year. You will have opportunities to GROW your nutrition knowledge, SEARCH for new products, NOURISH your soul and ACHIEVE the highest

honors in Georgia school nutrition.

2017-2018 Platinum SPonSorS aS of auguSt 2017 8

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

HELPING YOU REDEFINE YOUR SERVING LINE Elevate the taste and appeal of any meal with our NEW Three Cheese Sauce.

This versatile sauce can be used as a base to create your own signature sauce, blended with pasta, or to top off sandwiches, veggies, potatoes, nachos, or eggs.

jtmfoodgroup.com/schools 800.626.2308

Now, some recent advances in technology are, once again, taking school nutrition operations to the next level. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created an e-book that highlights the top 5 trends in school nutrition technology that are having the most impact.

Does your system include the

Top

Technology Trends?

scan for your free copy!

Over the years, advances in technology have improved the way you operate. Think touchscreen POS terminals, PIN pads and biometrics, online meal payments, online apps, and mobile POS just to name a few.

Is your technology solution staying up with the latest trends?

talk to a friendly salesperson

visit our website

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Around the State! GSNA District 2

GSNA District 1

Dougherty County celebrates School Lunch Hero Day. Telfair County Summer Feeding

Treutlen County Longest Cucumber grown this Summer for SSO. Pictured is student Ronald Winters and Food Assistant Carol Winters.

GSNA District 3

Muscogee County Award winners

Sumter County Summer Feeding with the Boys and Girls Club. Local president Larry Jackson helps.

Houston County School Nutrition continued operating the Summer Feeding Program starting May 30-July 28, 2017. Meals were offered in 3 school locations, 7 mobile routes and also additional sites such as Vacation Bible Schools, sports programs, band programs. Children ages 18 and under are able to receive free breakfast and lunch.

GSNA District

4th District at GSNA Leadership Training June 2017 Annette Bomar Chapter (GaDoe) celebrates Red Nose Day. Rockdale County Summer Feeding

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

Around the State! GSNA District 6

Sixth District GSNA PEP Meeting was held in the Thomaston Upson School District Fine Arts Center on May 31, 2017. There was a record-breaking attendance with over 300+ members attending. The fruit and vegetables did a great job welcoming our attendees as they pulled in the parking lot!

Carroll County in service, August

Griffin Spalding County summer feeding at the Griffin Library

GSNA District 7

Douglas County 2017 Summer Feeding Program

Cherokee County serving our own during Summer break.

Fulton County School Nutrition Program hosted the 2nd Annual Student Choice Food Challenge. Students tasted and voted for healthy school meal recipes, empowering them to make nutritious choices while increasing their awareness of dietary guidelines that influence school meals.

Paulding County National Agriculture Week. Pictured Robin Weaver Nutrition Training Specialist.

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Around the State! GSNA District 8

District 8 Leadership Meeting June 2017

Jeff Davis County end of school year chapter meeting

Ware County Summer Feeding Program

Bacon County & Wayne County at ANC Hot Lanta

Valdosta City at ANC Hotlanta

Glynn County, Chef Connor Rankin from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Half Shellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on St. Simons Island doing a taste test and cooking demonstration with students at Glynn Middle School.

Pierce County, Children from the community enjoying the Summer Lunch Feeding program. Our ladies work hard to make sure our babies have a healthy lunch to fuel their summer fun.

Wayne County Summer Feeding Program.

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

Around the State! GSNA District 9

Barrow County Summer Feeding

Forsyth County Summer Feeding

Hall County Seamless Summer Feeding Program.

GSNA District 10

Columbia County, Baker Place Elementary School students eating off of the NAC garden during the summer.

District 10 representation at GSNA Leadership Training in Milledgeville

Richmond County feeding children during the summer. From the production sites to hungry stomachs. We loved to see the smiles on their faces. We got thumbs up for their approval.#Fieled4Focus #RichmondCounty #WeAreMakingAdifference #SmallStomachsSmiling

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

2017 GSNA Award Winners

President’s Award: District 8, Sheila Cooper, President

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition: Breakfast 1st Place: Marie May, Lowndes County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition: Peanut Usage 1st Place: Treutlen County 14

President’s Award: Local Chapter, Glynn County, Patti, LaNeve, President

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition: Lunch/Dessert 1st Place: Cheryl Mason, Grady County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition: Snack 1st Place: Ginger Farmer, Tift County

Fall 2017

2017 President’s Award President’s Award District Chapter – District Eight – Sheila Cooper, President President’s Award Local Chapter – Glynn County – Patti LaNeve, President Josephine Martin Award of Excellence Sheila Cooper, Coffee County Director of the Year (SNA Southeast Regional Winner) Dr. Cleta Long, Bibb County Manager of the Year Award First Place – Tamecka Crawford – Richmond County Second Place – Jill Horsley – Carrollton City Third Place – Cynthia Keanon – Coffee County Employee of the Year First Place – Poilette Colbourne – Rockdale County Second Place – Lisa Holle – Houston County Third Place – Terri Grice – Carrollton City Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award First Place – Alison Strait – Pierce County Second Place – Michele Jones – GaDoe School Nutrition Program Third Place – Paula Hilton – Cherokee County Malcolm Quillen Nutrition Hero Gina McDaniel – Orrs Elementary – Griffin-Spalding County Lifetime Membership Dr. Cleta Long Marion Tharpe Honorary Membership Bobby Sharp, Dalton Ann C. Smith Deborah Bennett, Houston County 2017 Culinary Arts Awards New Unique Lunch Entrée First Place – Tammy Rozier, Butts County Second Place – Michelle Novitch, Marietta City Third Place – Gunnika Rivera, Muscogee County

Georgia Gems

Creative Breakfast Bread Grain Entrée First Place –Teresa Longo, Rockdale County Second Place – Vicki Underwood, Treutlen County Third Place – Alisha Lane, Brantley County Creative Fruit Dessert First Place – Myra Akridge, Grady County Second Place – Norma Kendrick, Carrollton City Third Place – Diane Winstead, Richmond County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Breakfast First Place – Marie May, Lowndes County Second Place – Nicole Payne, Gwinnett County Third Place – Dinah Collins, Grady County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Lunch/Dessert First Place – Cheryl Mason, Grady County Second Place - Dare Howze, Lowndes County Third Place – Julia Thomas, Douglas County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Snack First Place – Ginger Farmer, Tift County Second Place – Carol Winters, Treutlen County Third Place – Deborah Watford, Lowndes County Georgia Peanut Commission Peanut Usage Treutlen County Marie McGlaun ALIRT Award First Place National Contacts for District District Three – Larry Jackson, President and James Bryant, PPL Chair First Place State Contacts for District Chapter District Four - Garry Davis, PPL Chair, and Theresa Latta, President First Place National Contacts for Local Chapter Houston County - James Bryant, PPL Chair and Darlene Floyd, President First Place State Contacts for Local Chapter Rockdale County -Judy Compton, PPL Chair, and Joyce Thomas, President NAC Art Contest First Place K-5 Category Dorothy Rose Dossett - Settle Bridge Elementary, Forsyth County First Place 6-8 Category Emma Arnold -General Ray Davis Middle, Rockdale County First Place 9-12 Category Amberlee Vang-Apalachee High School, Barrow County 15

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

NAC of Year First Place - Baker Place Elementary Columbia County – Rita McDonald, Advisor Second Place – Griffin Spalding High School NAC – NaKethia Carter, Advisor Third Place – Dimon Elementary NAC – Muscogee County – Susan Funderburk, Advisor

Scholarships Children of Members Anna Dilcher Vanae Hatcher Gabriella Frances Ramsaier Maria Ramsaier Exhibit Booth Awards Large Booths 1st – Integrity 2nd – Advantage Waypoint 3rd – Acosta

Wellness Award Paulding County School Nutrition Best Chapter Participation Award Jeff Davis County School Nutrition Scholarships Members Frances Coleman Griffin: Keshia Williams, Haralson County Grant-in-Aid Brenda Enyart, Paulding County

Small Booths 1st - Accutemp 2nd – Mayfield 3rd - David’s Cookies

Graham’s always hungry. We make sure you’re always ready.

Keeping the lunchline moving. From the server room to the loading dock to the cafeteria floor. MealsPlus.com | 800-541-8999

S uperior 16

C A F E T E R I A

M A N A G E M E N T

T E C H N O L O G Y

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

Director of the Year and SNA Southeast Regional Director of the Year: Dr. Cleta Long There are many accomplishments that could have been the “one” to make Dr. Cleta Long the GSNA 2017 Director of the Year, but her vision in the construction of the only central kitchen production facility in the state of Georgia is probably high on the list of accomplishments. Bibb County, where Cleta was the director for over 20 years, is unique in Georgia because it has a Central Kitchen where food is prepared and sent out to 45 schools for finishing and service. Cleta led the staff in the planning, implementation and management of this complex operation. With the implementation of the central kitchen operational costs have declined, and labor reduced by 25%. Another complex program Cleta took on for the Bibb County School Nutrition was applying for approval to be a district wide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. Through the CEP program meals can be provided at no cost to students - 99.1 percent of meals served are reimbursed at the highest rate, providing $2.3 million additional revenue to help increase the quality of food served to students. Since students lunch needs were now taken care of Cleta focused on ways to get more participation with her breakfast program. Bibb County partnered with the Breakfast in the Classroom program and received grants to implement the program in 8 elementary schools, increasing participation to 52%. And, through a grant from the School Nutrition Foundation and Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom Bibb County was able to start a “Five and Go” Breakfast Smoothie program in the middle and high schools that increased participation by 4 to 7%.

Cleta also led her staff to establish 40 school gardens, a Junior Master Gardeners program, and local foods and garden items are on the menu regularly. Bibb County participates in the “Feed my School for A Week” using Georgia Dr. Cleta Long grown foods, and they have won a USDA Southeast Regional Award, a Georgia Best Practice Award, three Golden Radish Awards and the Georgia Grown District of Distinction Award. And finally, Cleta has been active in state and national Legislative issues that affect school nutrition, and has served as the state Public Policy and Legislative Chair and Co-chair. She helped develop the GSNA state Legislative Advocacy Conference, and has attended many national Legislative Action Conferences to help convey the needs of hungry children. Even though Cleta has done enough to officially “retire” from school nutrition, she is still active in Georgia School Nutrition and is the new director in Dade County.

2017 Culinary Arts Awards

Creative Breakfast Bread Grain Entrée First Place— Teresa Longo, Rockdale County

Creative Fruit Dessert First Place— Myra Akridge, Grady County

New Unique Lunch Entrée First Place— Tammy Rozier, Butts County

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Poilette Colbourne, Rockdale County— GSNA 2017 Employee of the Year “Poilette has worked as my right-hand food assistant for the past four and half years,” says Pam Rosser, her Manager at Edwards Middle School in Rockdale County. She has been involved in every activity for School Nutrition in Rockdale County! She helped start the Summer Feeding program and has worked the past three summers packing hundreds of lunches and ridden a school bus daily to summer feeding sites to distribute these. She participates in our county’s AG Day celebration each summer. Rockdale School Nutrition operates a booth with nutritional information and fruit and vegetables are distributed to attendees. She is there to put the tent up in the morning and take it down when it is over in the afternoon. Her creativity is evident every day. Poilette took a piece of old equipment that was being thrown away and repurposed it as a snack presentation cart. She has been instrumental in the success of the Smoothie Bar at breakfast, testing ingredients and recipes until the staff was satisfied. She also participates in the After School program at her

school, providing homework mentoring for the students in this program. Poilette is always eager to learn new things to make the Manager’s job Poilette Colbourne, Rockdale County more efficient. She is currently responsible for the milk and ice cream counts and the ordering of these products. She is the “go to” person when the manager needs any type of assistance. A quick learner, she is always willing to go the extra mile for school nutrition. And she has had PERFECT ATTENDANCE for the entire time she has been a food assistant in Rockdale! Giving of her time and skills is what makes Poilette the “Employee of the Year” in Georgia!”

Sheila Cooper, Coffee County Schools— 2017 Josephine Martin Award for Excellence If you are checking all of the boxes that are required to meet the standards of the Josephine Martin Award of Excellence you will find that Sheila Cooper meets them ALL and more. Sheila is the Area Coordinator in Coffee County and boy DOES she “coordinate!” She has enhanced the program in Coffee County by planning breakfast and lunch menus that always meet the USDA regulations and appeal to students. Sheila is a “guru” when it comes to NutriKids software, and never hesitates to assist others when they have challenges with this program. She developed a “checks and balance” ordering system that helped Managers improve their inventory management, thus reducing plate cost and enhancing the budget. She revived the Summer Lunch and After School Snack programs in Coffee County, and saved the principals money from their budget, so they could focus on rewards for academic performance. For over 20 years, Sheila has taught the new Coffee County school nutrition employees the O.N.E. Program as well as TID classes, and even designed a School Nutrition Substitute Workshop to train substitute workers on the basics, such as reading a recipe, measuring techniques, keeping temperature logs and HACCP. 18

She isn’t lacking in her legislative skills either! In addition to attending several Legislative Action Conferences in Washington DC and state level meetings, Sheila has had a state senator attend her Manager’s Training and serve lunch. Several years ago, Sheila Sheila Cooper, Coffee County was able to get over 2,100 letters signed and sent to state legislators to ask them to keep health insurance for School Nutrition employees. Sheila gives of her personal time freely. She speaks regularly at district and local meetings and trainings. She also helps in the community by planning booths at the annual summer and fall festivals as well as volunteering in the classroom by doing cooking classes and dressing up as Johnny Appleseed to read to the students. Sheila’s talents and hard work reflect the ideals of the Josephine Martin Award of Excellence in every way.

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

2017 Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award— Alison Strait, Pierce County All of the school nutrition employees in Pierce County have enjoyed the help and services of Alison during her nine years of employment! Alison’s accounting and record keeping skills are recognized by administrators, auditors and monitors as being top notch! Pierce County Interim Superintendent, Judy Rowland says, “Mrs. Straits’s great personality can only be topped by her attention to detail in her daily duties… seen in the results of state audits and state and federal reviews. All are clean and error free.” “Mrs. Strait has built a reputation as “a helper” in the Central Office, says Rhonda Cooper, retired Pierce county School Nutrition Director. “When employee shortages are a problem or when the first days of school are at hand, she can be found at the schools giving extra help.” She is quick to say a kind word and shows great compassion to her fellow workers.

She excels at training others on the software and has even driven to a school to give personal instruction to a manager or cashiers when needed. She willingly works beyond her scheduled hours when needed.

Alison Strait, Pierce County

Alison Strait in every way, is very deserving of the Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award!

Tamecka Crawford, Richmond County, Meadowbrook Elementary—2017 Manager of the Year GSNA 2017 Manager of the Year, Tamecka Crawford, “puts in extra effort for her job in SO many areas” says Kenneth Johnson, principal at Meadowbrook Elementary School in Richmond County that it is hard to list them all! One particular effort is when she reached out to a local military fraternity. Tamecka’s work led the soldiers to adopt the school. Throughout the year they give of their time to support the growth and development of the students and donate multiple backpacks stuffed with supplies for students in need. She also has a soft spot for first responders. She worked with the program Operation Happy Heart to provide nearly 4,000 Valentine’s Day cards to first responders. Tamecka birthed the idea of a “Back to School Bash” for the start of the 2015/16 school year. After a successful inaugural event, she and her committee orchestrated an even bigger and better event the next year, complete with GED sign ups, health care services, back to school supplies, and fellowship with teachers and their families. She encourages her staff to take part in extracurricular activities and it is common to see at least half the cafeteria staff attending special events with students. Not one to keep the spotlight on herself, she promotes leadership development by providing incentives to attend

training and meetings of the local association. She is constantly developing leadership on her staff by promoting professional growth. She has taken the steps to ensure that nearly all her staff members are ServSafe certified Tamecka Crawford, Richmond County and actively seeks out candidates with this certification for positions. Tamecka is an advocate for GSNA. At the start of the new school year she comes up with creative recruiting ideas to share the benefits of joining the local organization. She has provided incentives for involvement to increase school level participation and encourages staff members to attend state conference to gain experience. Georgia is happy to have Tamecka and her infectious smile and kind heart as a representative of the best that we have to offer. May her passion for school nutrition and life continue to be a bright light for Georgia. 19

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

2017 NAC Art Winners

K–5, Dorothy Rose Dossett, Settle Bridge Elementary, Forsyth County 6-8, Emma Arnold, General Ray Davis Middle, Rockdale County

9-12, Amberlee Vang, Apalachee High School, Barrow County

how many kids are counting on you? 30 million school meals are served every day. And for some, those are the most nutritious meals they’ll eat. That inspired us to offer six delicious all natural sliced turkey deli meat varieties. Mix and match your varieties (turkey breast, ham, pastrami, salami, bologna, pepperoni) as any six slices will provide a 2 oz. M/MA serving, with 460 mg of sodium or less. Making it easy to do what’s right – while kids love every bite. That’s the JENNIE-O® brand.

See our all natural varieties at

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

Corporate Members as of August 31, 2017 ACC Distributor’s, Inc. AccuTemp Products, Inc. Acosta Foodservice Atlanta Fixture & Sales Co., Inc. Atrium Packaging Bake Crafters Food Company Be Your Best Nutrition Borden Dairy Company Brazeal Consulting LLC Bridgford Foods Corporation Brookwood Farms, Inc. Buena Vista Foods C K Brands, Inc. / Basil Boss Cavendish Farms CGA Charles Pace & Associates Inc. Citisco, Inc. Cohen Food Service ConAgra Foods Country Pure Foods CTB Foodservice Cybersoft PrimeroEdge Dessert Innovations, LLC Dick and Jane Baking Company Domino’s Pizza Smart Slice Don Lee Farms Ecopax Food Service Applications, Inc.

Form Plastics Company General Mills Foodservice Georgia Peanut Commission Georgia Power Company Gold Kist/Pilgrim’s Gordon Food Service Gregory Packaging, Inc. Hadley Farms, Inc. Harris School Solutions Heartland School Solutions Hobart Corporation Horizon Software HumiTEC Corporation Innoseal Systems Inc. Integrity Foods, Inc. J & J Snack Foods J. M. Smuckers Company John Soules Acquisitions, LLC Jones Dairy Farm JTM Food Group Kellogg’s Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc. Key Impact Sales & Systems, Inc. Lagniappe Sales Learning ZoneXpress Manning Bros Food Service Equipment Master Marketing

Mayfield Dairy Farms, Inc. Meals Plus/ Education Mgmt Systems MealViewer Mobile Fixture and Equipment Co., Inc. GA Division Mushroom Council Nardone Brothers Baking Co., Inc. National Food Group, Inc. NatureSeal, Inc. Norvell Fixture & Equip. Co., Inc. Nutri-Link Technologies, Inc. Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service Paramount Marketing Group PCS Revenue Control Systems, Inc. PepsiCo FoodService Perdue Foods, LLC Peterson Farms, Inc. Plas-Tique Products, Inc. PMR, Inc. Premier Equipment Group, Inc. Prime Pak Royal Food Service Samples Institutional Foods SaniTech Systems Schwan’s Food Service, Inc. SEMA, Inc.

SFSPac Food Safety & Sanitation Systems Smart Mouth Foods (Bull’s Eye Brand) Smart Temps, LLC Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Southern Press & Packing, Inc. Studio 84 Designs Sun Butter LLC Sunny Food Service The Core Group The Dannon Company The Hansen Group TriMark Strategic True Food Service Equipment Tyson Cincinnati Unox, Inc. US Foods Vulcan Waypoint Webb Supply Company Whaley Foodservice Williams Institutional Foods Yangs 5th Taste

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

We Are One - Advocacy Makes a Difference Mike Burke, K-12 Ambassador Vulcan FEG, Member of SNA PAC Board of Directors

Now more than ever we need to be vigilant in protecting school nutrition program, employees and more importantly the wellness of our children. We are very fortunate to have Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former governor, Sonny Perdue, as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He has been a longtime friend of school nutrition; however, there is still a group of congressional representatives who believe that our program needs to be changed. They have good intentions, but block grants will never work for school nutrition. It is our job to educate our elected representatives! What can we do you might ask? Become familiar with SNA Legislative & Policy website (www.schoolnutrition.org/LegislationPolicy) for current information so that you will be informed and ready to share your story. Be sure to sign up for Action Alerts at SNA Action Network (http://cqrcengage.com/schoolnutrition). Use social media to share your stories and invite your local legislator to like your page.

Invite your local legislators, state and federal, to visit your kitchens and enjoy a school lunch or breakfast. Write your legislator to support our position and to oppose block grants and be sure to use the hash tag #StopTheBlock on your social media posts. SNA Political Action Committee (PAC) works to support Congressional members that are involved and passionate about SNA issues. They are bipartisan and supports federal political candidates who support issues important to SNA regardless to party affiliation. PAC relies on the support of members like you. If you attended State Conference on Jekyll Island you will remember that GSNA raised and donated over $1,000 to PAC. And did you know that you can visit your congressional representatives at the US Capitol? Join, us in Washington, DC for the annual SNA Legislative Action Conference (LAC) on March 4-6 2018. No one knows your program like you do and no one can tell your story like you can, so, make plans to charge the hill and make your voice heard at the #LAC18. My voice added to your voice added to other voices can make a difference!

Fall 2017

Georgia Gems

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.

“ 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

Georgia Gems

Fall 2017

Calzone featuring Rich’s® 5” WGR Sheeted Dough PC 00577

Mini Flat Hamburger featuring Rich’s® 4” WGR Mini Flatbread PC 00828

Individually Wrapped Cinnamon ubr® Bites PC 03601

Individually Wrapped WGR Triple Chocolate Filled Cookie made with Hershey’s® Chips PC 03593

WITH DELICIOUS PRODUCTS FROM RICH’S For more product information, please visit www.richsfoodservice.com/k12 30552 1/17

2017 SNA Annual Conference

2372 Main St. Tucker, Georgia 30084

Thanks to Our Sponsors Platinum Gold 2018 Annual Conference

Silver Kick Off Luncheon Seminar

Leadership Academy EA Energy Sponsor

Conference Entertainment

Namebadge Holder

Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lounge

Malcolm Quillen School Nutrition Hero Award