GA Gems Fall 2015 by Plus One Media

Georgia Gems Fall 2015

A Publication of the Georgia School Nutrition Association

keep hungry kids happy with favorites from Rich’s®! Turkey Sub made with Rich’s® Whole Grain Sub Roll Dough

richsfoodservice.com/k12

Pepperoni Pizza featuring Rich’s® Proof and Bake Sheeted Pizza Dough

Rich’s® IW Cinnamon ubr®

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Georgia Gems Published by the Georgia School Nutrition Association

2015-2016 Officers President Vanessa Hayes President-elect Regina Williamson Secretary Carolyn Ross Treasurer Dawn Garrett-Martin System Level Section Chair Kim Kiker School Level Section Chair Tessany Lockhart 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 patrice@georgiaschoolnutrition.com To Advertise in Georgia Gems Contact: Melissa Connor (404) 325-0558 Plus One Media, Inc. 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).

Inside This Issue From the President

Chair of District President’s Message

GSN Foundation Grant Available

School Level Chair Message

System Level Chair Message

2016 GSNA Election

GSNA Industry Advisory Board: Challenges Ahead

Breakfast in the Classroom

Around the State!

Georgia on the Hill: Farm to School Success

2015 GSNA Annual Conference Award Winners

2015 GSNA Director of the Year and Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Rhonda Cooper – Pierce County

2015 National Employee of the Year: Ann Roberson – Champion of Customer Service

2015 Manager of the Year: Regina Williamson – Houston County

Thanks GSNA 2015-2016 Sponsors!

Corporate Members

2015 Summer Feeding in Georgia

Focus on PSERS (Your Vote Working for You)

GSNA 2015 Leadership & Legislative Training

24 1

Georgia Gems

From the President

elcome back…I trust that all of you had a grand summer, whether you worked the entire time, some of the time, or none of the time, I hope you made the best of each and every day. This year is going to be a year of inspiration, motivation, and validation for us as an association. Our challenge this year is to show people who we are. Our theme, “We Are One, Georgia Strong” attempts to show the collective spirit, unity and strength of the School Nutrition programs in Georgia. It will be up to us to put our programs on display and continue to hold up the high standards for which Georgia is known. We will have to show our membership, our administration, our community, our legislators, and anyone else who partners with us to feed our children, just who we are and just what we do. We need to inform everyone, BEFORE we need their help to continue our mission. We never seem to make the connection until we are under attack. Let’s change that! I challenge each of you to showcase our incredible programs and post to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and You Tube all the wonderful things we do to feed children.

Fall 2015

Our voice is a strong voice, but it is time for us to ban together and become stronger; we have so many avenues to promote the excellent jobs we do as professionals. We are quite aware that we do not accomplish this monumental task alone, we understand that we are successful because of our exceptional partnerships. I ask that you include all your partners both internal and external so that anyone and everyone who wants to join us can! We need to take on the spirit of promotion and marketing, we need to sell it to our students and parents so that we win their trust and increase our participation. We need to show the added value in the product and services we provide on a daily basis. We need to become a household brand; our program should be referred to by name not by product like “Have it your way” at Burger King, and “I’m lovin it” at McDonald’s, or “It’s my pleasure to serve you” at Chick-fil-A, and Dominos, “We are more than just pizza.” All these companies have told us that they will cater to our needs which makes us feel great. The GSNA motto, “Healthy Children, Ready to Learn” should become a phrase that invokes visions of healthy, happy children with trays of fresh and nutritious food in hand. Our programs and all the wonderful benefits will become synonymous with health and wellness. Parents and students will know that participating in our program will prepare the students to meet their academic requirements! By offering healthy affordable meals in extremely sanitary and safe environments we prepare them for success. We are the fuel for the vehicle of education so grab hold to the excitement, stash the sunshine in your pocket, and dance your way through each and every day. This year we are going to “Aim High” with the promise to be present and available to change lives one meal at a time, one child at a time. Cheers!

Vanessa Hayes GSNA President, 2015-16

#WeAreOneGeorgiaStrong @GA_SNA 2

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Chair of District President’s Message Laura Lynn, GSNA Chair of District Presidents 2015-2016

Say Cheese!

any of us have heard and possibly used the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Have you ever wondered where this saying originated? One of the earliest known references to the expression is from a 1911 newspaper article in which newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, speaking about journalism and publicity, says “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Over 100 years later we use pictures in many different ways; to show proof, to give directions, to share ideas or to tell a story.

We love to look at Facebook, maybe at times more than we should. But what draws us through those multitudes of postings…the snapshots. If there is a lot of text, you skim past it, thinking you will come back to read later, however, you see a picture of someone’s children, vacation or school nutrition activities and you stop for a moment to look. So why do we love pictures better than words? It seems that with a picture, we develop an instant emotional connection. The right snapshot can bring out strong emotions in us of compassion, joy, loyalty, or even determination. An image can convey a wide range of information or it can focus in on a single thought or emotion, and it can cover all of the ground in between handily as well. It just needs to be the right image that will engage and inspire others as you tell your story. Social media has given us a golden opportunity to share snapshots of delicious and healthy foods while rebranding your program and telling your story to the community. Because there are many different social media avenues, one is sure to fit your style; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest to name a few. Did you know that in today’s digital age that we live in, over 63% of social media is made up of snapshots? For the most part, social media is

a free tool to use to share what you are serving for lunch, promotions in your cafeteria or keeping parents informed on pertinent information. This year, the theme for National School Lunch Week is “School Lunch Snapshot” which provides each of us the opportunity to share our stories about our school lunch experiences. “School Lunch Snapshot” is about sharing the best, real images of today’s school lunch—fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, milk, and smiling students. It provides a great opportunity for SNA members to capitalize on using social media to promote your program to parents and students, too! I challenge each of you, as well as the District Presidents, to start that Facebook page for your school nutrition program, develop a Twitter account for your program and even put together a Pinterest Board that you can use to showcase and share ideas. Get out those cameras and start telling your story…one Snapshot at a time!

GSN Foundation Grant Available

New This Year!

GSNA is making one $500 Grant-in-Aid award available to any member applying to take the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credentialing exam within the next year. If you are thinking of becoming SNS Credentialed apply for the funding to help with your expenses such as books, study guides, application fee, etc. You must be scheduled to take the SNS exam by August 1, 2016 to be eligible to receive the grant. Location

Registration Deadline Exam Date

Indianapolis, IN

10/14/15

11/04/15

Atlantic City, NJ

10/15/15

11/05/15

Branson, MO

10/23/15

11/13/15

Savannah, GA

3/24/16

4/14/16 3

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

School Level Chair Message

irst and foremost I would like to say “thank you” to all of my peers for your votes and for this wonderful opportunity to lead in a very important, yet humbling position. I am very excited about the direction of our association and extremely honored to be a part of moving our “Future Forward” by “Setting the Table” for lifelong success. “We Are School Nutrition” with a “Georgia State of Mind” but we are also a collective of people, with an honorable mission – “Healthy Children, Ready to Learn!”– “We Are One!” The success of this organization, as well as in life, is all about perception. What do you see? Who do you say you are? My mission this year is to remind each of you that you are more than “just” a lunch lady or man, a server or servant, a main dish or cashier, or whatever your title may proclaim. My goal this year is to not only continue to advocate for our children, but to also help motivate each of you into realizing we are more than “just” what society labels us. Our association will not continue to grow, strengthen or thrive until we take back our identities, tell our own stories, and be about our mission. I challenge each of you to get motivated this year! I challenge each of you to educate yourselves on the issues this year, and “Get in the Game” to become a Game Changer! I challenge each of you to know your history because that is your worth and by doing so we graduate

from the perception of worthless to worthy. No longer should we hold our heads down being nameless in an invisible profession; we make too much of a difference in the lives of children to feel ashamed, it is time the world knew “just” who we are. I challenge each of you to find the answers to your question “What does the association do for me?” If you are standing still, doing nothing and waiting for someone to hand you the answers, then that question remains “just” a question. Remember, it takes action to receive answers, so Re-up! Read-up! Get up and Get moving! The game must go on and we are stronger in numbers and unity produces champions! Once we have done all of these things to prosper in knowledge, then indeed we will realize the vision of our organization and become as “one” and our association will become stronger, “We are One – Georgia Strong,” and just like a puzzle we must connect and stay connected. My goal this year is to do whatever is necessary to promote that connection. No one piece is greater than the whole puzzle. I am challenging each of you to become more than “just” and connect this year! Tessany Lockhart, School Level Chair

System Level Chair Message

appy fall y’all! It’s back to school time in Georgia! Once again our staff, students, teachers, administrators and parents are coming together to educate and nourish the young minds of Georgia students throughout the state. “We are One,” is demonstrated throughout our state time and again, as we all come together each year to lead our students through a journey of learning with education, as well as nutritious food. As we think on the message this year from our President Vanessa Hayes, “We Are One,” remember that we are all one and systems can unite from throughout the state to make a difference to our staff, students, system and to our state. This year we are encouraging Directors to unite as one and become more active in all of the great events that GSNA has to offer to both the system level and school level. New this year, we will offer a Leadership Training specifically designed for you at the system level, please watch for more information on this great event. We will be specifically asking you during the year what items would be of interest to you at the system level and what we can do to help you with your role. Along with your system duties

we know you have plenty of responsibilities to manage within your schools. To help handle the requirements for training, we have designed Manager’s Conference this year to assist managers with bringing back valuable information to their schools such as knife safety and smarter lunchrooms. We as the association want to assist you with the heavy lifting that goes along with managing a School Nutrition Program. If you have an idea that you would like to share to assist you at the system level, please get in touch with me so we can discuss. As we gear up for this school year, we want you to remember, “We Are One” and if we all come together to nourish our students bodies and minds it will make this journey a lot more productive and pleasing for everyone involved. Kim Kiker, System Level Chair

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

2016 GSNA Election

he next upcoming GSNA election will take place through online voting ONLY this year. Eligible GSNA members will be able to cast their vote only from Jan 1st – Feb 1st, 2016. The online procedure makes voting easier and more conveniently managed. All eligible voting members will receive an email with their member ID and a link to the GSNA election site sometime in the month of December. It’s very important to update your email address with GSNA to ensure we have your preferred/correct email address so that you are able to vote. Please refer to the address label of this issue of Georgia Gems which shows the current email address we have for you. This will be the email address we will send the voting link to. If this email address is up to date, there’s no need to do anything further. But, if the email shown on the label is incorrect, NONE is shown or if you wish to change to another email address, you may do so by emailing your preferred email address to info@georgiaschoolnutrition.com or contact the GSNA office at 877-221-8733 requesting a change. To be eligible to vote, your GSNA membership must be valid and current as of November 1, 2015. GSNA Corporate members are not eligible to vote in this election. The SNA Nominating Committee recently met at the Annual National Conference (ANC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, to select a slate of candidates for the 2016 SNA election ballot. Georgia’s own, Dr. Cleta Long of Bibb County Schools will be on the ballot for the Treasurer position.

The winners of this year’s election will serve on the 2017-18 SNA Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, with the installation to take place at SNA’s Annual National Conference in July 2016. This year the election will take place in February 2016 using a secure online voting website. This year, voting will be open for two weeks, February 15-29, instead of four weeks as in the past. More information on when and how to vote visit https://schoolnutrition.org/snaelection/.

Better for You!

Bridgford’s line of whole grain-rich Biscuit, Roll and Dough products now fulfill National School Lunch and Breakfast requirements. Honey Whole Wheat Biscuits Wheat Ranch Rolls Wheat Bakery Rolls White Whole Wheat Rolls Cracked Wheat Rolls Wheat Breadsticks Wheat Cinnamon Rolls White Whole Wheat Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

(800) 527-2105 www.bridgford.com/school

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

all natural

is always at the top of its class Minimally processed without any artificial ingredients, our full line of products delivers great taste with all the benefits of turkey to help you meet nutritional requirements. With kid-friendly products like patties and pre-sliced turkey and turkey ham, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll earn high marks in taste, quality and nutrition. jennieofoodservice.com/schools

Acosta, Inc. Lisa Davis 678-313-3014 Lsdavis@acosta.com

Acosta, Inc. Chris Bolton 512-417-7928 Cbolton@acosta.com

ÂŠ2015 Jennie-O Turkey Store, LLC

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Challenges Ahead by Claudia Harry, GSNA Industry Advisory Board, SEMA

am excited to launch into this new year serving as chair to a very accomplished Industry Advisory Board. Together with our GSNA leaders, Vanessa Hayes, Regina Williamson and GSNA leadership team, we will work together to show you what Georgia School Nutrition is doing and how many more opportunities there are for us to work together. The IAB supports the mission and vision of GSNA, we act as a sounding board for new programs and we dig in where we can to help build the business of school nutrition. In the past few years your IAB has exceeded personal goals in increasing corporate membership and we hope to continue that trend. This year our theme is “We Are One – Georgia Strong,” we are all headed in one direction of setting high standards to serve Georgia School Nutrition statewide. Our goal is to help define the right fit for the right application in all opportunities. Communication, value, and services are fundamental to any organizations growth. This year partnered with our Georgia Districts, industry members will be able to increase their visibility by offering their time and talent on many new levels. SNA has increased the Professional Standards requirements in all areas of school nutrition employment. Our job is to help be a resource for training and show them what we can do! You will have increased opportunities to be with our Georgia Schools to not only offer your technical expertise but your professional talents in areas of professional development. Together with Chair of District Presidents Laura Lynn, we are developing the GSNA Speakers’ Bureau. It will be the first in the nation to partner Georgia Districts with Industry Partners expertise. We welcome you to join the GSNA Speakers’ Bureau, this resource will be available to our membership of Georgia School Nutrition professionals at the state and local level. We are asking for your skills, your knowledge, and your interest that can be shared for upcoming meetings throughout the entire year in every pocket of our state. Georgia District members, I encourage you to seek out your industry partners and invite them to your next meeting, PEP, workshops, fundraiser or any other event. All year long show us your pride on Twitter #WeAreOneGeorgiaStrong. Final note: Are you new to school nutrition or are you looking to kick it up a notch in the kitchen? This is an Equipment Academy year. I can’t think of a more concentrated opportunity to learn about cooking, production, and serving equipment technology under one roof. Solely focusing on the business of equipment directors, equipment buyers, nutritionists, managers, and school professionals will see what is new and receive in-depth training on equipment fundamentals. Come to Perry Georgia January 20-22, 2016! Walk 2015-2016 Industry Partners away having developed your own competitive analysis to fit your District 1: Mike Priest school’s needs. It’s going to be a great year, let’s get started. How may we serve you? To Join the GSNA Speakers’ Bureau, please contact Claudia Harry, IAB President at charry@semareps.com or Laura Lynn, Brantley County School Nutrition Director at laura.lynn@brantley.k12.ga.us

District 2: Kristin Dukes District 3: Mike Priest District 4: Claudia Harry District 6: Misty Friedman District 7: Becki Rogers and Lane Westfall District 8: Jennifer Sills District 9: Jon Samples District 10: Eric Kenny

2015-16 advisory board Industry Advisory Board 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 Kristin Dukes Cohen Food Brokerage PO Box 7657 Marietta, GA 30065 Phone: 229-942-6953 / 229-942-6953 E-mail: k.dukes@cohenfoods.com Misty Friedman Georgia Department of Agriculture 304 Scott Street, Commerce, GA 30529 Phone: 404-859-5029 E-mail: misty.friedman@agr.georgia.gov 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 Lane Westfall Dexter’s Farm 4465 Commerce Drive, Suite 110 Buford, GA 30041 Phone: 404-542-3129 E-mail: lanewestfall@dextersfarm.com

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

#WeAreOneGeorgiaStrong Set your notifications and mark your calendars to join GSNA for these events during 2015-2016 School Year.

Georgia School Nutrition Association 2015 National School Lunch Week Kick-Off Luncheon & Seminar School Lunch “Snapshot” Macon Centreplex, Macon, GA • September 24, 2015 - #GSNANSLWKOL Mark your calendars and get ready for your close up. Join GSNA as we kick-off celebrations of the 2015 National School Lunch Week campaign. We will get up to date information on school nutrition issues and policies at our training sessions, celebrate school nutrition program achievements throughout the state and show off “Georgia” style.

2015 Managers’ Retreat and Training Summit Unicoi State Park Lodge, Helen, GA • October 4-6, 2015 - #ManagersRetreat15 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.

2015 Commodity Reprocessing on Parade (CROP) Show The Classic Center - Athens, GA • October 21, 2015 – #CROP2015 Gather useful information on Commodity Processing and 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.

2016 GSNA Equipment Academy – Georgia National Fairgrounds Perry, GA • January 20-22, 2016 - #EquipmentAcademy16 Don’t miss the biannual GSNA Equipment Academy. The academy will offer workshops and demonstrations on kitchen equipment. Each attendee will come away gaining practical instruction on kitchen equipment used in schools throughout the state of Georgia.

excluSive energy SPonSor

2016 GSNA Legislative Conference Hilton Garden Inn – Atlanta, GA • February 8-9, 2016 - #GSNALAC16 ONE can make a difference, but together we are STRONG! Join us as we prepare for the 2016 Georgia Legislative Session where we will let our collective voice be heard. We will plan our strategies and make connections with our legislators at the gold dome. Savannah 2016 Aiming High in the Low Country

The GSNA 61th Annual Conference - Savannah, GA “Aiming High in the Low Country” April 14-16, 2016 – #AimingHighSavannah16 Come on down y’all! We will be back in the beautiful low country of Savannah for our year end celebration of school nutrition. You “aimed” high and achieved your school nutrition goals for the year, now come on down to the low country and celebrate as ONE big family! We will highlight the STRONG traditions of Georgia school nutrition excellence. You will have opportunities to make connections, expand your knowledge and celebrate all things school nutrition.

2015-2016 Platinum SuPPorterS aS of auguSt 2015

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) – Georgia Several Georgia counties have already received their BIC grants. Congratulations to Bibb, Butts, Crisp and Houston counties for participating in the BIC program.

Grant Funds Available to Support Breakfast in the Classroom Expansion Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to apply for funding to start or expand a universal, breakfast in the classroom program in your school/district. The Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom, made up of the School Nutrition Foundation, National Education Association Healthy Futures, and the Food Research and Action Center, are

looking to fund schools/districts with 70% or more free and reduced eligible students and a daily participation of about 50% or less. This is a unique and generous grant opportunity that is based on a school/district’s needs. Funding may cover equipment, one-time staffing, marketing, and training.

What does it fund?

Who is eligible?

Equipment (large and small)

School districts or school buildings with 70% or more children qualify for free and reduced priced meals

Staffing Marketing

School districts or school buildings with participation around or below 50%

Training

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to serve Georgia’s students! To learn more or request a grant application, contact Sarah Murphy at the School Nutrition Foundation via email smurphy@schoolnutrition.org or call her at 301-686-3100 x175.

With Horizon, you have choices.

The leading school nutrition provider in Georgia with 65 K-12 customers, Horizon offers our proven, on-premise OS solution for nutrition program operations, • On-premise solution • Comprehensive program management • District technology resources

and now Solana, our new cloud-based solution.

800.741.7100

• Cloud-based online solution • Simple program management • Limited technology resources

GSNA Platinum Sponsor

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

Around the State! GSNA District 1

Telfair County Pre-K cafeteria staff were given hero shirts in honor of Super Hero Day on Friday May 1, 2015. Pictured here: Jacklyn Dennis (left) and Julie Howell (right).

GSNA District 2

International Studies Elementary Dougherty County Nutrition Advisory Council Students cropping the garden along with Manager Linda Evans.

GSNA District 3

Houston County Manager Mary Land reads her poem “We Are One” at the 2015 Leadership &Legislative Training in Tifton, Georgia.

GSNA District 4

Rockdale County Public Schools, Rockdale Emergency Relief and Bread of Life Development Ministries joined together to ensure that children (up to age 18) in Rockdale County receive a healthy, balanced, and delicious meals throughout the summer.

Employees from Thomas County School Nutrition celebrate their year successes at the 2015 End of the Year Banquet.

Tift County Summer Feeding program Gwinnett County end of the year banquet honored Pepper Stout, manager of the year.

Sumter County - Diane Monts and Susan “Nell” Rhymes attending the Leadership and Legislative Training in Tifton, GA in June.

ABH Chapter – State School Superintendent Woods challenged the Department of Education to fill backpacks with school supplies for children in need and the school nutrition division collected 52 backpacks out of the 250 collected.

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Around the State! GSNA District 6

Bibb County Managers Mike Kane and Velda Bland assist students during the Georgia Grown Future Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Culinary Competition at Heard Elementary during Bibb County Georgia Grown Feed My School For a Week celebration.

Fayette County Kedron Elementary kitchen tour.

Kitchen tours at South Elementary in Thomaston - Upson County.

Griffin Spalding County manager Carol Ramirez promoting Georgia Grown fruits to these children.

Carrollton City School Nutrition and partner, Tanner Health System (Eat Healthy Live Well) to promote school breakfast with a District wide Walk and Roll to School Event.

GSNA District 7

Cherokee County end of the year In Service celebrated school nutrition retirees. The ladies that retired had 179 years of service with school nutrition and are going to be missed by not only the people that they worked with but also the children that they served.

Marietta City SNP Seamless Summer program in collaboration with The East Cobb YMCA.

SuperSPMS - Paulding County celebrated School Nutrition Hero Day.

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

Around the State! GSNA District 8

Atkinson Elementary School Nutrition in Brantley County was honored by having their school’s yearbook dedicated to them this year. The principal shared how they are such an integral part of all that goes on at school each day and commended them on serving 100% of their students at lunch!

Lowndes County NSBW 2015 WES trying new yogurt.

Glynn County Culinary Services took the “meals to the fields.” For elementary field days this year, the culinary services team joined in by taking the meals out to students during the event. Students loved having the meals served to them outside on field day!

Jeff Davis Elementary students enjoy umbrella smoothies, prepared by the JD’s Dockside Diner staff after a fun day of water slides.

Pierce County Cafe Orsa - 5th grade students at Blackshear Elementary School were invited to our Cafe’ Orsa. Their experience included school lunch meals served as a fine dining experience.

GSNA District 9

Fannin County school nutrition employees, Wanda Davenport and Julie Caudill serving children a nutritious meal during summer day camp.

Hall County students getting lunch trays.

Forsyth County Food and Nutrition joined forces with the “Food for Thought” program to feed needy families. In March we collected 517.3 pounds of food for the families of Forsyth!

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Around the State! GSNA District 10 Columbia County - Thanks to Landscape Material of Augusta who donated the soil, to Mrs. Jackie Pitoniak who used her truck and time to go get the soil and bring it to school, to Mrs. Jeanette Newman for letting us borrow the wheel barrel and tools, and most of all to the wonderful 5 middle and high school students who volunteered to come and unload the truck. Baker Place Elementary garden beds went from being empty and sad looking to be almost full and ready for the NAC students to plant. Thank you every one for your support and hard work.

Georgia on the Hill: Farm to School Success

SNA was represented in Washington, DC this past Spring at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Healthy Farms, Food, Families and Economies - A report from the field on strategies that workâ&#x20AC;? congressional briefing on May 5, 2015. GSNA President, Vanessa Hayes and Burke County School Nutrition Director, Donna Martin participated in a briefing about their success with Farm to School programs. The briefing highlighted all the benefits that stem from the Farm to School program and how it enhances communities and school nutrition programs.

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

GSNA Conference

President’s Award: District 8, Laura Lynn, President

Culinary Arts Award: Low Sodium Entree 1st Place: Shirley Royal, Chatham County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Breakfast 1st Place: Ann Hamner, GDOE

April 9-11

Athens, GA

President’s Award: Local, Gwinnett County, Robbie Stone, President

Culinary Arts Award: Unique Breakfast Fruit Cup 1st Place: Jill Paul, Colquitt County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Lunch/Dessert 1st Place: Ann Hamner, GDOE

Culinary Arts Award: Thinking Outside the Box Whole Grain Cinnamon Roll 1st Place: Margaret Rentz, Jeff Davis County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Snack 1st Place: Dare Howze, Lowndes County

Fall 2015

GSNA President’s Award: District - District Eight – Laura Lynn, President Local - Gwinnett County – Robbie Stone, President

Georgia Gems

Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Rhonda Cooper, Pierce County Director of the Year: Rhonda Cooper, Pierce County Manager of the Year: First Place – Regina Williamson, Houston County Second Place - Debbie Register, Houston County Third Place- Jill Horsley, Carrollton City Employee of the Year: First Place – Ann Roberson, Pierce County Second Place - Krista Simpson, Carrollton City Third Place - Kerry Lopez, Houston County Malcolm Quillen Nutrition Hero: Chester Grant - Thomaston Upson County 2015 Culinary Arts Awards Low Sodium Entree First Place - Shirley Royal, Chatham County Second Place - Nurdan Basat, Carroll County Third Place – Charlotte Parks, Barrow County Unique Breakfast Fruit Cup First Place - Jill Paul, Colquitt County Second Place - Tonya Cannon, Cherokee County Third Place - Ashley Whitener, Richmond County Thinking Outside the Box Whole Grain Cinnamon Roll First Place - Margaret Rentz, Jeff Davis County Second Place – Judy Glasgow, Fannin County Third Place – Debi Bray, Rockdale County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Breakfast First Place – Ann Hamner, GDOE Second Place – Jane Raburn, Carrollton City Third Place – Dare Howze, Lowndes, County Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Lunch/Dessert First Place - Ann Hamner, GDOE Second Place - Jane Raburn, Carrollton City Third Place – Helen Sellars, Grady County

Georgia Peanut Commission Culinary Competition Peanut Snack First Place – Dare Howze, Lowndes, County Second Place – Jennifer Scott, Houston County Georgia Peanut Commission Peanut Usage Clayton County Marie McGlaun ALIRT Award First Place National Contacts for District District Three – Tessany Lockhart, President First Place State Contacts for District Chapter District Three – Tessany Lockhart, President First Place National Contacts for Local Chapter Carrollton City – Canova McDonald, President First Place State Contacts for Local Chapter Houston County – Mary Land, President NAC Art Contest First Place K-5 Category Jones County - Wells Elementary - Laci Rollins First Place 6-8 Category Rockdale County, Davis Middle – Jasmine Patrick First Place 9-12 Category Thomas County - Thomas County Central High Savannah Barrett NAC of Year First Place - Lake Park Elementary Dougherty County – Wanda Carroll Second Place - Carrollton Jr. High – Dee Banks Third Place - Baker Place Elementary Columbia County – Rita McDonald Wellness Award Dorsett Shoals Elementary, Douglas County Best Chapter Participation Award Coffee County School Nutrition Scholarships Members Shelley Daniel, Thomaston-Upson County Bobby Sharp Scholarship SeKeithia Lewis, Sumter County - Eleanor Pryor Scholarship Laura Lynn, Brantley County - Ann McDonald Scholarship Grant-in-Aid Donna Fuller, Paulding County 15

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

Scholarships Children of Members Harley Elliott, Jones County Makimsey Morris, Jackson County Whitney Waters, Gilmer County 2015 Scroll Awards Dist. Chapter Name 2 District Two 2 Dougherty County 2 Grady County 2 Tift County

President Ashley McMillan MarKeith Paramore Becky Carroll Silvia Naslund

3 3 3

Tessany Lockhart Mary Land Bobbette Davis

District Three Houston County Muscogee County

6 Carrollton City Canova McDonald Terri Grice 6 Clayton County Karen Seay 6 Fayette County Brenda Strickland 6 Griffin Spalding Cnty Keiza Hunt 6 Jones County Jackie Daniel 6 Thomaston-Upson Tracy Watson Bronze Silver Bronze Silver Gold Gold Gold

4 District Four Janice Stephenson Gold 4 Annette Bomar Frank Mullins Silver Hopgood Chapter 4 Gwinnett County Robbie Stone Gold President’s Award 4 Rockdale County Bobbie Woody Gold 4 Walton County Carla Baker Rising Star 6 6 6 6

District Six Bibb County Butts County Carroll County

Donna Mosely Anna Marie Gilchrist Deborah Hudgins Donna Folds

Gold Gold Silver Silver

7 7 7 7

District Seven Cherokee County Douglas County Paulding County

William Owens Sandy Davis Kerry Ann Burnett Donna Rice

Gold Silver Rising Star Silver Gold Silver Gold Bronze Silver Gold

8 District Eight Laura Lynn Gold President’s Award 8 Brantley County Carolyn Luke Gold 8 Coffee County Celeste Williams Gold 8 Jeff Davis County Pam Davis Gold 8 Pierce County Beverly Bagley Gold 8 Valdosta City Latrelle Brown Silver 9 District Nine 9 Forsyth County 9 Jackson County

Tammy Bean Kathy Mueller Jennifer White

10 District Ten 10 Columbia County 10 Richmond Cnty

Darlene Hollows Darlene Hollows Ashley Whitener

Gold Silver Silver Silver Bronze Silver

2015 Director of the Year and Josephine Martin Award of Excellence: Rhonda Cooper – Pierce County

ur 2015 DOUBLE WINNER, Rhonda is well known to all of us in Georgia, and has worked tirelessly for years to improve and promote School Nutrition in Georgia. As a School Nutrition Director, Rhonda has focused on improving her local program and staff through hard work and vision. Her success in managing a school nutrition program is evident in the fact that since 1985 she has never had to ask her Board of Education for funds. She has written many successful grant applications, once for the purchase of a $20,000 van to deliver supper during the summer. This project increased her programs meal count by 6800 meals! Rhonda’s program is a multiple and consistent winner of USDA Best Practices awards. She recently won two “Best Practice” awards in 2014, one award for her Farm to School program and the other for promoting local products during National School Lunch Week and also sponsoring a coloring contest for students for blueberries.

Rhonda used her many skills to encourage and improve local staff awareness of legislative and program standards. This year at an 8th District meeting on Advocacy, Rhonda brought post cards for members to sign and send to legislators with a message about supporting the 16

School Nutrition program. She provides policy updates on a regular basis and promotes voter registration at local meetings and Back to School Open House. Seeing the need for consistency across all the school kitchens, Rhonda Rhonda Cooper, Pierce County developed a “Manager Cross Training program” where each manager visited every school for 2 to 4 consecutive days and recorded observations on a report form. Then all managers met to review the observations and make improvements in their cooking, cleaning, scheduling and reporting. Rhonda’s talents and hard work reflect the ideals of the Josephine Martin Award of Excellence and exemplify what it means to be “Director of the Year” in every way.

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Ann Roberson – 2015 National Employee of the Year – “Champion” of Customer Service!

nn was awarded the 2015 National Employee of the Year award in July at the School Nutrition Association Annual conference in Utah. Georgia is proud to celebrate Ann and her accomplishments.

Ann’s upbeat attitude and inspiring work ethic has earned her a place in the hearts of students and staff at Pierce County High School. She has excellent rapport with her students, connecting with each of them as they come through the cafeteria and making an extra effort to engage any students sitting alone. Ann likes to make sure that the students needs were being met so she started conducting regular surveys for new menu items.

Ann Roberson, Pierce County Ann also has excellent rapport with her fellow employees. She like to find ways to make thier jobs easier any way she can. She’s known as a team player and is quick to take on new responsibilities. Her goal every minute is to work harder and get more done. She has taken on the responsibility of improving the nutrition program and acts on her intuition to make improvements. An example of her creative problem solving is using color coding to organize food deliveries, using different colors on rolling racks and cooler lids for different sites. She also developed new, healthy recipes and volunteered to spearhead the expansion of the district’s summer meal program into local churches, successfully increasing the program’s reach by 7,000 meals. This type of support has been PRICELESS to her manager and director! And she does ALL of this with a smile and a cheerful disposition! Giving of her time and skills is what makes Ann the “Employee of the Year” in Pierce County!” Congratulations Ann.

2015 Manager of the Year – Regina Williamson – Houston County

SNA’s 2015 Manager of the Year, Regina Williamson takes pride in providing the “restaurant experience” for her customers at Perry High School in Houston County. Any given day Regina’s school may be providing meals for employees from the Houston County BOE offices as it is located minutes from the high school. Having “visitors” from the central office, including assistant superintendents, is stressful and time consuming but Regina still welcomes all with smiles, hugs and a “what can I do for you?” attitude. Meredith Potter, School Nutrition Director, notes that “Regina's specialty is customer service. She works diligently to ensure that each customer, be it students, or staff enjoys their experience in her ‘restaurant.’”

Regina Williamson, Houston County

Regina has great relationships with ALL of her customers, but is especially great with the students. She assists the special needs classes in getting their meals. She helps put together plates for students in wheelchairs and serves items to them at their tables. Her special touch is evidenced by a visually impaired student that seeks out Regina each day. She verbally shares the 15 entree menu with him and personally guides him through the serving line. She was also instrumental in helping six students in the Air Force JR ROTC Program. The students came to Regina after they were informed that they should work on healthy weight loss as a result of a routine health assessment. Teaming up with their Captain, Regina helped them choose entrees, fruits and vegetables for their daily lunches with her. She helped monitor their progress and noted that by the end of the school year, each of the students met their weight loss goals and the group had reached a total of 172 lbs. weight loss. Regina constantly taste tests new products by touring the lunchroom with a cart filed with bites of new products and recipes. She noticed that students thoroughly enjoyed her homemade pulled pork BBQ. She capitalized on a restaurant trend and added BBQ pork as an option on nachos and in place of chili on cheese fries. After one short week, the news went around and her sales immediately took off and they now prepare 15 lbs. of roast pork each day. Her passion for School Nutrition is contagious and helps her serve as a shining representative for her school, county, district and state and national associations. Regina will serve as the 2016-2017 president of the Georgia School Nutrition Association. We look forward to her continued her success and winning ways!

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

GSNA Thanks Our 2015-2016 Sponsors (as of August 2015) Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

NSLW Kick Off Luncheon

Equipment Academy Energy

Grahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always hungry. We make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 18

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 2015

Georgia Gems

Corporate Members as of July 31, 2015 ACC Distributor’s, Inc. AccuTemp Products, Inc. Acosta Sales & Marketing AdvancePierre Foods Advantage Waypoint American Foods Group, LLC Aspire Beverages Bake Crafters Food Company Blue Bell Creameries Borden Dairy Company Brazeal-Wilson: Design & Decor Bridgford Foods Corp. Brookwood Farms, Inc. Bull’s Eye Brand, Smart Mouth Pizza C K Brands, Inc. Carman Girard Associates Cavendish Farms Champion Foodservice, LLC Charles Pace & Associates Inc. Cohen Food Brokerage Colorpoint div. of Low Temp Industries ConAgra Foods COP Food Sales, Inc. Country Pure Foods CTB Foodservice Cybersoft Technologies, Inc. Data Business Systems Dessert Innovations, LLC Dexter’s Farm Domino’s Pizza Smart Slice Don Lee Farms Food Service Applications, Inc. Form Plastics Company General Mills Georgia Grown Georgia Peanut Commission Georgia Power Company Gordon Food Service Gregory Packaging, Inc. Hadley Farms, Inc. Heartland School Solutions Hershey Creamery Hobart Corporation Hopco Foodservice Marketing Horizon Software International, LLC HumiTEC Corporation Integrity Foods, Inc. Island Oasis Jones Dairy Farm JTM Food Group Kellogg’s Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc.

Key Impact Sales & Systems, Inc. Lagniappe Sales Land O’ Lakes Inc. Learning ZoneXpress Manning Bros Food Service Equipment Marjon Specialty Foods, Inc. Master Marketing Mayfield Dairy Farms, Inc. MCI Foods, Inc./Los Cabos Mexican Foods Meals Plus/Education Management Systems Mobile Fixture and Equipment Co., Inc. GA Division Mondelez International Nardone Brothers Baking Co., Inc. National Food Group, Inc. NatureSeal, Inc. Norvell Fixture & Equipment Nutri-Link Technologies, Inc. Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service Paramount Marketing Group Par-Pak Inc. Patco Food Safety PCS Revenue Control Systems, Inc. PepsiCo FoodService Perdue Foods, LLC Plas-Tique Products, Inc. PMR, Inc. Preferred Packaging Sales & Service Premier Equipment Group, Inc. Prime Pak Pro Rep Marketing Pro View Foods PureFun Inc. Food Service Rich Products Corporation Samples Institutional Foods SaniTech Systems SEMA, Inc. SFSPac Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Southern Equipment Fabricators, Inc. Southern Press & Packing, Inc. Studio 84 Designs StyroGreen Recycling, LLC Sun Butter LLC Sunny Food Service Sunny Sky Products, LLC Super Bakery, Inc. The Hansen Group TriMark Strategic True Food Service Equipment Uniform Sales America LLC US Foods

Vulcan FEG

Whaley Foodservice Williams Institutional Foods Winston Industries

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

Telfair County

DeKalb County

Butts County

Carroll County

Meriwether County

Cobb County

Gilmer County

Jeff Davis County

Pierce County

Barrow County

Fannin County

Marietta City

White County

2015 Summer Feeding in Georgia

Fall 2015

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.

“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

Learn all about The Electric Cooking Advantage® and more at our new Customer Resource Center. Visit georgiapower.com/crc or call 770.216.1400.

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

Now Available to Schools in Georgia

Contact Paramount Marketing Group â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Robbi Ross, robbiross@pmgwins.com 22

Fall 2015

Georgia Gems

Focus on PSERS (Your Vote Working for You) by Mary Frances Williams - GSNA Lobbyist (m.f.williams@att.net)

SNA has tackled numerous legislative issues on behalf of our members. We feel it’s time to focus on increasing funding for the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS). Benefits for PSERS retirees are calculated based on a multiplier for each year of service. The current rate is $14.75. To raise the multiplier rate, funds must be added to the state budget. The state budget process is year round. In the fall, the governor’s budget staff, the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) works on the governor’s budget. Gov. Nathan Deal will present his budget for FY 2017 the first week of the 2016 Session (which begins January 11, 2016.) Legislators will then work on their version of the FY 2017 budget, first in the House, then the Senate. The House and Senate will reach agreement, then the budget will be sent to Gov. Deal for his signature. How do we get funding for a PSERS increase in the FY 2017 budget? State GSNA Legislative Chair Peggy Lawrence, Susan Cheshire and I recently met with the Rep. Terry England (Chair, House Appropriations Committee) and Sen. Jack Hill (Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee) to make our case for a PSERS increase. Moving forward we need your help. Your legislators need to hear from you!

Your talking points: • The PSERS rate has not been increased since 2008! • In 2012, thanks to legislation that GSNA supported, the employee contribution for PSERS members increased to $10. (It is important that you know and acknowledge that PSERS retirement benefits are not funded entirely by employee contributions, but it’s important that your contribution has increased). • The current benefit for most PSERS retirees barely (if at all) covers the monthly cost of health insurance. Your local legislator may say: “I’m not on the House (or Senate) Appropriations Committee. They can still speak with the Chair of Appropriations about the increase. The more buzz we create about this, the better! You also may be told, “We’re not in session right now.” Your response: “I know, but I wanted to discuss this with you before the session since I know how busy you will be in January.” Please let us know what responses you get from your legislators! And thanks for your help!

The Ask: Please help us make sure that funds are included in the FY 2017 budget for an increase in the PSERS multiplier from $14.75 to $15.25.

Mark Your Calendar for These Legislative Meetings: GSNA Legislative Advocacy Conference Atlanta February 8-9, 2016 SNA Legislative Action Conference Washington, D.C. February 28 - March 2, 2016

Georgia Gems

Fall 2015

GSNA 2015 Leadership & Legislative Training June 11-12 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center

SAVE the DATE Georgia Equipment Academy

HOW LONG 2 1/2 Day Event 20 hours of continuing education credits for up to 2 PLUs 20 hours of USDA Professional Standards Requirements 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: Ovens

Refrigeration

Display Lines Cook & Hold Solutions Steamers Waste Systems Drink Machines & More

Ware Washing

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 Two Lunches provided Evening Cocktail / Networking Reception Door Prizes & Drawing for Attendees For more information contact Daphne Webb at GSNA daphne@georgiaschoolnutrition.com 770-934-8890

Exclusive Energy Sponsor:

2372 Main St. Tucker, Georgia 30084

NOW WITH WHOLE GRAIN

PREMIUM CRACKERS NEVER

TASTED THIS GOOD

Introducing a delicious new K–12 school-ready saltine cracker with whole grain from PREMIUM—America’s favorite saltine brand1.

2 Crackers Contain 0.25 GOE per serving* 4 Crackers Contain 0.75 GOE per serving* SALTINE CRACKERS

6 Crackers Contain 1.0 GOE per serving*

• Whole Wheat Flour is #1 Ingredient • 54% of Credible Grains are Whole • No High Fructose Corn Syrup • No Partially Hydrogenated Oils

BAKED IN THE USA Meets the USDA’s K–12 National School Lunch Program and Smart Snacking Requirements.

OVERWHELMING WINNER OF BLIND TASTE TEST VS. LEADING SALTINES MADE WITH WHOLE GRAIN

at 2015 School Nutrition Innovation Conference2

TASTE TESTERS SAID: • “Would use on reimbursable tray.” • “This whole-grain saltine [is] great!”

1-855-202-3913

fs-snacks-desserts.com

1. Nielsen, xAOC 52 weeks ending 3/28/2015 (based on dollar sales) 2. Mondelēz International Central Location Test—January 2015, N=19 *Note: Our GOE for 2 crackers is between 0.25 and 0.5 GOE, but we can only list it as 0.25

©Mondelēz International PREMIUM with WHOLE GRAIN Saltine Crackers are made with 7g of whole grain per 2-2 cracker packs (14g) serving.

Nutritionists recommend eating 48g or more of whole grains throughout the day. Contains 90 mg sodium per 2 crackers (7g).