Please join us on May 5th for the Nourish Myself….Thyme for Me live webinar with Dayle Hayes, MS, RDN and Chef Brenda Wattles, RDN. There is no charge for this hour of inspiration, cooking demonstrations and appreciation for child nutrition professionals in the Western Region. The recipes have been specially selected to be delicious, affordable and easy to prepare at home. Plus, the recipes are available in quantity and credited versions for use in your child nutrition programs. Attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion for 1.0 SNA Credit. Register now: https://bit.ly/3sUS9WH.
Nourish Myself…Thyme for Me Webinar
A message from OSNA’s President
It’s with a heavy heart that I am making this announcement. The OSNA Board has voted to cancel the OSNA Conference for 2021. We had been floating the idea of a virtual conference instead of in-person, however after reviewing the results of the survey that was sent out a few weeks ago, the decision was made to wait until 2022 and plan for an in-person conference in March 2022.
Many of the comments on the survey were focused on how tired members were with a virtual conference format. Many members suggested that we wait until 2022 and make it an Amazing in-person conference.
I know many school districts are in the process of planning for kids to return to in-person learning and switching gears to make that happen. And with the date for submitting direct orders and diversion in WBSCM a week earlier than in past years, the OSNA Board felt there was not enough time to plan a virtual event that would be well done and well attended.
Keep your eyes open for a special election later in the Spring. The OSNA Board is looking for Area Reps and a Vice President. If you are interested in any of these position, please let me know.
Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thank you.
Becki Wicks, SNS
President, Oregon School Nutrition Association
The Spokane Public Schools has an opening for Nutrition Services Supervisor who coordinates the district’s menu development, nutrient analysis, and summer meals program. Spokane Public Schools has 30,000 student and 53 schools and the Nutrition Services program is known for providing excellent meals for the children in our community.
SPS NW Web page: www.spokaneschools.org/meals
The deadline for applications has been extended to February 25. The posting can be found on the district’s HR web page link below.
SPS Nutrition Services Supervisor Opening: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/spokaneschools/jobs/2974698/nutrition-services-area-supervisor-8-hrs-cont-nutrition-services-admin-bld
The Cascade School District has announced the retirement of Barbara Calderwood. The district has opened applications for the position of Director of Food Service.
The position performs managerial and supervisory duties operating a district-wide food service operation, and collaborates with others in the school, school district, and community to operate a successful district nutrition program that complies with all state and federal regulations and district policy.
Applications are due by Nov. 13, and the position starts on Jan. 4, 2021.
For a full job description and online application instructions, click here.
ODE Child Nutrition Programs has open positions for two full-time Child Nutrition Specialists. This position is permanent and is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
As a Child Nutrition Specialist, you will evaluate viability, capability and accountability of applicants and sponsors. You will also provide training, consultative technical assistance, monitoring and communication to support the effective administration of Oregon Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) in public, non-profit, for-profit and tribal settings. Recruit sponsors and participants to address food insecurity in Oregon and support healthy nutrition and eating behaviors.
For full job descriptions, qualification requirements and an online application form, please click here.
Application deadline: August 16, 2020
On July 30, House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) introduced legislation to make all students eligible for free school meals during the 2020-2021 school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act would allow all children to access breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snack programs either in school or through “grab and go” and delivery options.
The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act is co-led by Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05).
According to the Brookings Institute, 35 percent of households with children under 18 already were experiencing food insecurity in April. As the pandemic continues to cause widespread economic hardship, experts fear that the child hunger crisis could become even worse.
School meal programs, which have suffered severe financial losses due to the pandemic, are struggling to maintain services for students. In May, program directors reported a median estimated loss of $200,000 per district, with an estimated loss of as much as $2.35 million in larger districts. By increasing school meal participation rates, the Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act would help save these programs from insolvency.
The proposal would also eliminate paperwork for families and school officials, who would not have to fill out and process applications during a time of crisis.
“Nutritious meals help students stay healthy while they learn and grow,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “For many children, school meals provided their primary source of nutrition before the pandemic, and now even more families struggle to put food on their tables because of unemployment and unexpected financial distress.
“We must provide students with the meals they need to reach their full potential, no matter where they are learning this upcoming school year,” Bonamici added. “I’m glad to be joining Chairman Scott and Representatives Fudge, McGovern, and Omar in introducing this important legislation to prevent child hunger and expand access to meals for more families.”
Under the Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act:
- All students will temporarily be made eligible for free school meals during the 2020-2021 school year throughthe School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
- Due to the flexibility granted to USDA under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,free school meals will be available to students during remote learning through “grab and go” or meal delivery.
- All school districts, including those operating off-site services, can serve all children without having to certify the eligibility of each individual child.
- Anywhere in the country, schools and non-profit community partners can operate meal services, including off-site, under theSummer Food Service Programs (SFSP) and the Summer Seamless Option (SSO), where they can serve all children without having to certify the eligibility of each individual child.
- Anywhere in the country, schools and non-profit community partners will be able to serve afterschool meals and snacks, under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Programor the NSLP Afterschool Snack Program, without having to certify the eligibility of each individual child.
- All Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) day care homes will be eligible for reimbursementat the Tier 1 level.
For a fact sheet of the Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act, click here.
For the bill text of the Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act, click here.
The OSNA Industry Committee is announcing special ad rates and a new mailing program in light of the current coronavirus crisis. Visit our Annual Directory page for more info!
OSNA has announced that the 2020 State Conference and Food & Equipment Show has been canceled, per Gov. Brown’s order that all events over 250 people are to be canceled effective immediately.
We are very sorry for this development and are working with SNA to determine a refund process. More information to come.
We thank OSNA members for their patience and understanding.
Klamath County School District has an opening for the position of Director of Food Service. The position is responsible for:
- Responsible for the overall employee supervision of the food service department
- Plans, directs, and reviews the work of the Food Service Supervisor
- Coordinates with the Food Service Supervisor on scheduling, hiring, training, performance appraisals of building level staff
- Evaluates Food Service Supervisor performance and prepares performance appraisal with input from building administrators
For a full job description, salary and application information, please click here.