GSNA Georgia Gems Winter 2026 by Georgia School Nutrition Association

GEORGIA GEMS

See Inside:

GSNF Managers Retreat

The Rise of Milk Dispensers

Equipment Academy

GSNA: Core Purpose, Vision, Mission & Code of Ethics

Core Purpose

1. Encourage and promote the maintenance and improvement of the health and nutrition of children by supporting the implementation of nutritionally adequate, educationally sound, financially accountable, nonprofit school food and nutrition programs.

2. Work for the highest standards for school food and nutrition programs with an emphasis onnutritionally sound meals which are acceptable to children.

3. Encourage and promote united efforts between school personnel and the general public to assure everychild an opportunity to receive the benefits of school food and nutrition programs which incorporate nutrition education.

4. Encourage and develop the highest standards and provide appropriate education programs forprofessional growth of the school food and nutrition personnel.

5. Promote legislation and research designed to foster adequate school nutrition programs.

6. Assist in making the school nutrition program a laboratory for nutrition education and other related education activities.

Vision

Preparing children for a lifetime of learning and good health.

Mission

To advance the availability, quality, and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education.

Code of Ethics

Members of the Georgia School Nutrition Association are pledged to the improvement of school, communityand national health through well directed quality food and nutrition programs.

Worthy members fulfill an obligation to the Association, their school, their community, themselves, and to related professional groups when they accept these responsibilities.

• To guide their personal conduct by the Golden Rule.

• To uphold the ethical standards by which they and their profession are judged.

• To place service for the good of others above personal gain.

• To seek newer knowledge in their professional work and apply this knowledge and skill by serving incommunity activities.

• To cooperate with related professional groups in achieving common goals

• To take an interest in pertinent legislation and promote public support which will improve the status ofschool food service personnel.

Get Ready to CELEBRATE!

Join GSNA on one of Georgia’s true jewels —the beautiful Jekyll Island—from April 16–18, 2026, for an unforgettable celebration of 75 years of GSNA .

This year ’ s conference is a true legacy-maker, featuring:

Dynamic speakers

Informative educational sessions

Diverse exhibits

Valuable networking opportunities And so much more! Registration is NOW OPEN!

Take advantage of the early registration rate, available through March 18

Get ready to set YOUR legacy in motion as we sparkle and shine on the island e can’t wait to see you there!

GSNA Annual Conference April 16-18, 2026

Years of

Jekyll Island Convention Center-Jekyll Island

Return registration form & payment to GSNA, 2372 Main Street, Tucker, GA 30084. Email: info@georgiaschoolnutrition.com Fax: 770-934-8917; Phone: 770-934-8890. GSNA is committed to making all meeting activities accessible to all attendees. For special needs, including dietary, call the GSNA office. Full payment or purchase order # must accompany all registrations

2025-2026 GSNA Awards Due Dates

GSNA AW ARDS FORM S: https://www.georgiaschoolnutrition.com/awards

Grants-in-Aid and Scholarships

Honorary membership

Culinary Arts Winners (Local)

GSNA NAC Art Contest (Local) Competition

GSNA NAC Art Contest (District) Competition

Scroll Application Cover page to District President

Ann C. Smith/Hall of Fame Award

Beyond the Plate Award

GSNA Culinary Arts (District)

Malcolm Quillen School Nutrition Hero Award

Media Award

Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award

Certification Awards

Consistently high Participation Awards

GSNA Headquarters August 1, 2025

December 15, 2025 March 1, 2026

GSNA Headquarters December 15, 2025

District Chairman January 15, 2026

Local President/Judges January 15, 2026

District President February 13, 2026

District President February 20, 2026

GSNA Headquarters March 2, 2026

Director of the Year Online at https://schoolnutrition.org/reso urces/awards-scholarships

Employee of the Year/GSNA Golden Leaf Award Online at https://schoolnutrition.org/reso urces/awards-scholarships

Josephine Martin Award of Excellence

Manager of the Year/GSNA Lucille T Watson

Membership Awards

GSNA NAC Art State Competition

NAC of the Year

Scroll Awards Book and Documentation

Three (3) % or More Increase in Participation (Breakfast and/or Lunch)

Marie McGlaun A L I R T Local Contacts Applications

Marie McGlaun A L I R T District/Local Contacts Applications

March 2, 2026

GSNA Headquarters March 2, 2026

Online at https://schoolnutrition.org/reso urces/awards-scholarships March 2, 2026

GSNA Headquarters March 2, 2026

District Legislative Chair March 2, 2026

GSNA Headquarters March 9, 2026

PHONE: 770-934-8890 FAX: 770-934-8917

Industry Advisory Board

Susan Wickizer Blank

PepsiCo Food Service 423-838-2003 susan.wickizer@pepsico.com

Bruce Marlette Master Marketing 404-368-9424 bruce@mm-reps.com

Michael Rooks

SAM Service, Inc.

229-439-0450 mrooks@samserviceinc.com

Evan Chanin General Mills

404-918-5581 evan.chanin@genmills.com

678-303-6070 tiffany@pmreps.com

pryan@petersonfarmsinc.com

A Word from the President

As we continue to celebrate 75 years of GSNA, my heart is truly full. This milestone is not just about the years behind us. It is about the people who have carried this association forward with dedication, compassion, and pride. Each of you is part of a

As we honor our past, we also step into a vital season of our work: legislative advocacy. This is the time for us to come together, stay engaged, and lift our voices on behalf of school nutrition programs across our state. Advocacy is an extension of our service. It is how we protect our programs, support our profession, and ensure that every child in Georgia continues to have access to nutritious meals.

I encourage each of you to remain motivated and confident as we engage with legislators and stakeholders. Your experiences, your stories, and your passion matter. When we advocate together, we carry the strength of 75 years of legacy into the future, reminding others that school nutrition is essential to student success.

Thank you for your continued dedication to GSNA and for the love you show to the children of Georgia every day. Let us move forward together, rooted in legacy, united in purpose, and hopeful for all that lies ahead.

With sincere appreciation and gratitude, April Collins

legacy built on service to the children of Georgia, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do.

Oct. 23-24, 2025 Great Wolf Lodge

GSN Foundation Manager’s Retreat & Training 2025 was a “Howling” good time” for 100+ GA Managers and Industry Partners. The Great Wolf Lodge did not disappoint! There were lots of great speakers and our President, April Cox and Kathy Brown, School Level Chair did a great job keeping the “Pack” on task. Attendees discovered how to ignite inspiration, empower their teams, and lay the groundwork for a lasting vision and legacy in school nutrition.

Empowering Georgia’s Nutrition Leaders

To get started, our attendees were treated to "A Legacy of Flavor" with Georgia Grown Chefs helping them put "Peanuts on the Menu". They had great ideas and answered lots of questions from the audience. Participants also had awesome GSNA Legacy Builders leading sessions specifically designed for our GA Managers.

Leading with Expertise

Session leaders included Dawn Lewis, Coffee County SN; Jess Peaden, Bremen City SN; Bruce Marlette, Master Marketing; Janet Mitchell, Premier Foodservice Group; Keshia Williams, Haralson Co SN; Danielle Freeman & Latonia Jones, Douglas Co SN; Jeboria Stanley & Juana Moore, Fulton County SN.

Impact Through Insight

These leaders shared their knowledge, providing great information that will help managers be a better leader for their team as well as President, April Cox Collins, who shared about her journey and the role Legacy plays in each

GSNA Thanks the sponsors that were able to join us at the 2025 Manager's Retreat & Training at Great Wolf.

igniting inspiration! empowering teams! laying the groundwork for a lasting vision & legacy

Spring Into Innovation with CGA

JOIN US AT GSNA 2026

Jekyll Island, Georgia

ing, CGA Reps is proud to be part of a milestone moment as the school nutrition nity celebrates the 75 Anniversary of GSNA at the Annual Conference. th years, GSNA has supported the onals who fuel student success very day and we're honored to elebrate alongside you.

VE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

E A T U R E D M A N U F A C T U R E R S

April 16-18, 2026

Booths 102, 104, 201 & 203

perience live, hands-on cooking with Joe Smith from Convotherm alongside Chef Boyd.

om warewashing and cold storage to combi cooking, serving lines, and beyond, CGA unites trusted rtners delivering labor-saving equipment designed specifically to support school nutrition programs.

Meet and Greet Director’s

GSNA had an awesome time at the GADOE School Nutrition Director’s Conference. We saw a lot of familiar faces and met lots of new friends!

The “Meet & Greet” was a huge success with over 100 System Level attendees! Thank you to our amazing Diamond Sponsors…one of the perks of being a sponsor at this level. We even had a surprise visit by Morticia and Gomez!

Thomaston-Upson School Nutrition

Back-to-school spending can be a financial burden for families at the beginning of a school year, and even more so to get new supplies to finish the year with mid-year falling during Christmas time. Recognizing this challenge, Thomaston-UpsonSchool Nutrition partnered with the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center for the “Repack the Backpack” initiative, aiming to help families replenish necessary supplies during the second semester so students can focus on their schooling without interruption.

This back-to-school program is about more than giving out school supplies. It aims to boost kids’ confidence and promote educational equity by ensuring more universal access to supplies for academic success. Thomaston Upson School Nutrition understand that without food, a student cannot learn, so they nourish their students each school day with breakfast and lunch. This partnership allowed them to serve their students with another necessity for learning and showed them that the school nutrition staff is dedicated to seeing all students thrive beyond the cafeteria.

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Today at Auburn Elementary School, the cafeteria manager, Robin Everett, had a special guest—her son Joseph, who delighted the PreK students by portraying Johnny Appleseed! The children loved learning about this classic American story and had such a fun time with his visit.

Bacon County was proudly District Fall Meeting held in

School in Bartow County! grade rolled up their sleeves to create our Wildcat Southwestern Salsa—fresh lime, cilantro, poblano peppers, red onion, black beans, corn, tomatoes, sour cream, and ranch all coming together in one delicious bowl. A perfect blend of learning, teamwork, and tasty fun!

These oldies but goodies had fun celebrating and serving on the 100th Day of School at Bleckley Primary.

Brantley County SNP participated in Family Engagement Night with meals from around the world, with Mexican, Chinese, and Italian food for the families to sample.

What a wonderful day in Bremen City Schools! Senator Tim Bearden and Representative Tyler Paul Smith (both Bremen Graduates) joined SN for lunch, spent time chatting with their kindergartners, and toured Jones Elementary. SN truly appreciates their support and interest in their school nutrition program.

Camden County High FFA students turned their classroom into a thriving garden, full of collard greens, broccoli and cabbage. Fruits of their labor were utilized within the cafeteria lunch program. This partnership fosters a sense of pride and community within the student population.

Cobb SNA hosted their annual Holiday Social on Thursday 12/18/25 at Green Acres ES, which included an Ugly Sweater Contest and gift exchange.

At the recent local association meeting in Richmond County, attendees enjoyed a special culinary presentation from a chef representing P.F. Chang’s. The chef demonstrated signature cooking techniques, shared behind- the-scenes insights about the brand’s approach to fresh ingredients, and prepared sample dishes for the group to taste. Participants were able to ask questions, learn about menu development, and get a closer look at how the restaurant blends traditional Asian ﬂavors with modern dining trends.

District 10 raised over $200 for breast cancer treatment during the Breast Cancer Miracle Mile Walk and District 10 meeting. Special shoutout to Columbia County and Putnam County for joining them. Thanks to Kyle Cotton from Pro Rep Marketing for coming and

Fulton County is serving up fresh, seasonal Italian squash at lunch! This versatile veggie is locally sourced and full of ﬂavor - whether it’s roasted, sautéed, or blended into a tasty dish, it’s a delicious way to fuel growing minds and

Fulton County was excited to kick o the new year with a hands-on Training Day for their updated BackofHouse Software. Their sta spent the day learning new tools, exploring upgraded features, and building conﬁdence to streamline operations and better support their students and school community.

Glynn County School Nutrition employees held a local culinary contest on January 6th 2026, judged by Local Board of Education employees.

In celebration of Georgia peanuts, the Jane Macon Nutrition team went all out to develop some sensational recipes to share with the students. Ms. Cathy made the most delectable homemade granola for yogurt parfaits, and Chef Chad brought out his incredible talent with a spin on roasted sweet potatoes and peanuts. The glaze of honey and spicy chili seasoning sent taste

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Je Davis Primary Lil" Stingers Cafe celebrated Citrus Day

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Lamar County was thrilled to have Chef Bruce from Master Marketing on campus! He jumped right in alongside the amazing cafeteria sta , sharing new ideas, fresh techniques, and a whole lot of inspiration. The team loved learning from him, and the students are deﬁnitely going to taste the di erence! Thank you, Chef Bruce, for bringing your passion, creativity, and energy to LCPS. Here’s to great food, happy kids, and a kitchen full of new possibilities!

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Lowndes County SNP sta participated in training, team bonding and enjoyed a delicious lunch together! gnidluaP

Paulding County SNP held their Annual Awards Night!

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Each week, Putnam County Charter School Nutrition Director Teena Carr visits Putnam County Elementary School classrooms with a featured fruit or veggie, a fun fact sheet, and a coloring page. This week’s star? Dragonfruit—a unique fruit that many students had never seen or tasted before! Together, they explore the fruit’s vitamins and nutrients, learn how it supports overall health, and—best of all—they get to taste it! By introducing a variety of fruits and veggies in a fun, hands-on way, we’re helping students build healthy habits that last a

Treutlen County ES students were all smiles while enjoying the new FFVP (Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program) item — Carrot Shakers! Crunchy, fun, and a hit with our students!

Valdosta City Schools had the incredible privilege of serving their scholars with 80,000 meals (40,000 breakfasts and 40,000 lunches) for Winter Break! Huge shoutout to their amazing VHS school nutrition sta for their hard work in packing every meal. A special thank you to Packer Produce and Valdosta City Schools family for their support in making this happen. Teamwork truly makes the dream work, and they are grateful to have the best team around!

Kindergarten students took a tour of the kitchen, then sat down and added toppings to sliced apples. They also took a virtual tour of an Apple Orchard.

At James E Bacon Elementary School, we had an exciting Pre-K Week celebration! We read the book Pete’s Pizza to start o the event then little chefs got hands-on as they crafted their very own personal pan pizzas, choosing delicious sauce, cheese, and pepperoni toppings. The highlight? Enjoying their tasty creations during snack time, making the day both fun and memorable!

District 10 meeting wrapped up with a lively and fun cake walk. Members took part in several rounds, moving to music and hoping to land on

The Hall County School District’s Agribusiness Center was awarded the Fall Garden of the Season by the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Division. Dr. Lynette Dodson, GADOE Deputy Superintendent for School Nutrition; Kelly Toon, Farm to School Program Manager; Kristin Schupp, Area Consultant for Pioneer RESA; and Caroline Haney, Marketing Specialist from the Ga Department of Agriculture, presented the award to the School Nutrition and Agribusiness team members at the Hall Co Meat Science Center. They then toured the farm which o ers hands-on experiences in agriculture, including honey cultivation, meat science training, and cattle production that supports our cafeterias.

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Great partnerships in the Camden County Schools community! The Sheri ’s O ce, local military, and Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School sta worked together to serve the students and their families a great Thanksgiving memory with visions of Turkey, Homemade Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Harvest of the Month Sweet Potato Sou é. Congrats to their brand new school nutrition manager, Jami Hasting for successfully serving her ﬁrst thanksgiving with her team!

Thanksgiving at Hershel Jones in Paulding County.

EPMS did their annual food drive. 12 families received the food.

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What an extra special day as they celebrated their yearly Thanksgiving meal in Wayne County Schools. The sta always goes above and beyond for their students and sta .

S tate the Christmas

Forsyth County surprised their AR schools with Santa! Elves from the Food & Nutrition Department gave out treats to show them how much they appreciated everything they do daily and the great job they did for

The Manager has been having a troublesome time with the pesky elf at Upson-Lee Pre-K. He insisted on helping cut citrus fruit so students could "squeeze the day" to celebrate citrus fruit. The students' lunch was a basic meal but a favorite. PBJ Uncrustable, Crispy Cheetos, Celery w/ranch, Sliced Oranges, and milk.

Sixth District enjoyed coming together in Carroll County for their annual Christmas Tea. It was a time of networking, laughing and just having fun. They are thankful for our industry partners that never fail to show up when called on and for the school nutrition professionals that show up and show out every day. Special thank you to the students and admin that came to start their meeting with Christmas carols.

Polk County School Nutrition team had a great time celebrating Christmas!

Co ee Middle School decked out for Christmas!

Upcoming Meetings & Events

School Nutrition Assistant’s Program

Spring 2026

A one day training session planned to ﬁt the needs of school nutrition employees that work “in” the kitchen.

Annual Conference

April 15-18, 2026 - Jekyll Island

The GSNA Annual Conference is the grand ﬁnale of a year of networking and education for GSNA members. The annual conference o ers exhibits, educational sessions, and entertainment for up to 1,000 school food professionals in Georgia. School food service professionals from all over the state attend this event.

Transforming School Spaces. Inspiring Student Experiences.

Take a Seat

No two cafeterias are alike. We create customized seating and wall graphics that solve space challenges and invite students to stay, connect, and enjoy.

Consulting

From concept to completion, we help schools turn cafeterias into dynamic spaces that support connection, comfort, and community.

Schedule a Call

Talk with our chief innovator and discover how your cafeteria can become a space students love.

2026 Equipment Academy

The Georgia School Nutrition Association (GSNA) Equipment Academy was recently held in Athens, GA at The Classic Center. This event stands as one of the association’s most impactful and visionary professional development programs, equipping school nutrition professionals with the knowledge and conﬁdence to fully utilize the tools that power their kitchens.

A deﬁning feature of the Equipment Academy is the participation of industry representatives from across the nation who generously share their technical knowledge and real-world expertise. These specialists provide hands-on instruction, guidance on best practices, and insight into emerging technologies, giving participants direct access to the people who design, build, and support the equipment used in school kitchens every day. This collaboration bridges the gap between manufacturers and operators, ensuring school nutrition professionals gain practical, applicable skills.

The Academy also features a dedicated Maintenance Track, designed speciﬁcally for maintenance professionals and those responsible for equipment upkeep. This specialized training focuses on preventative maintenance,

troubleshooting, safety protocols, and proper care to ensure equipment operates at peak performance. By strengthening maintenance knowledge, districts are better equipped to reduce downtime, control costs, and protect their investments.

Corporate chefs play an equally vital role in the Academy experience. Bringing both culinary expertise and creativity, these chefs demonstrate how to maximize equipment capabilities while producing appealing, high-quality menu items that meet school nutrition standards. Their hands-on demonstrations inspire participants to explore new techniques, improve food presentation, and fully utilize equipment to enhance both e ciency and student satisfaction.

More than just a training, the Equipment Academy represents GSNA’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and professional growth in school nutrition across Georgia. Participants leave not only with enhanced technical skills, but with renewed conﬁdence and inspiration. The GSNA Equipment Academy continues to build a legacy of empowering school nutrition professionals, strengthening programs, and ultimately supporting the mission of serving nutritious, high-quality meals to students.

Honoring

their legacy

Since founding Equipment Academy in 2008, Cindy Ham and Mark Conoly have turned a visionary spark into a nationally admired program that continues to shape Georgia’s school nutrition landscape. We are profoundly grateful for their tireless dedication and shared wisdom, which remain the guiding legacy of the Academy today.

Great Year!

We extend our sincere gratitude to our talented instructors for sharing their expertise and to all the attendees whose engagement and passion continue to make this program a success.

The Rise of Dispensers

AN UP-AND-COMING MOVEMENT IN GEORGIA SCHOOL NUTRITION.

Hello Georgia SNA! I wanted to share about an up-and-coming movement in Georgia school nutrition – the rise of the milk dispenser. Milk dispensers have been the gold standard for offering milk to college students in the college & university food service setting forever. It’s not a new concept and it does work!

Seven Georgia school districts have launched or will soon begin offering milk through dispensers, including Cartersville City, Marietta City, Bartow County, Polk County, Calhoun City, Bremen City, and KIPP Charter Schools of Atlanta. In total, the initiative includes 18 schools and 30 milk dispensers statewide as of the end of January.

The first milk dispensers in Georgia K-12 were placed at Cartersville High School back in early 2024– a joint venture between Cartersville City Schools and The Dairy Alliance. Students were immediately impressed with the enhanced flavor and coldness of milk directly from the dispensers. The second dispenser was placed at Marietta Center for Advanced Academics in Marietta City Schools – a 3rd-5th grade elementary school.

Bartow County Schools became the first district in Georgia to implement milk dispensers across multiple campuses, installing units in all of their middle and high schools—seven schools in total. Red Top Middle School proudly led the way as the first middle school in the state to have a dispenser up and running. Since then, the momentum has continued, with students in Calhoun City Schools and Polk County enthusiastically embracing the fresh milk from their new dispensers as well.

“I’m proud of our school nutrition team at Red Top Middle School for wanting to be a part of this innovative project,” said Betsy Roam, School Nutrition Director of Bartow County. “Raising your hand and choosing to be the first middle school in Georgia to offer milk dispensers versus the traditional carton shows the staff’s dedication to providing quality nutrition to our students.”

Why are we doing this? Dispensers ensure that the first to the very last student at each meal service is getting access to really cold, delicious and nutritious milk. It’s all about improving the

school milk experience and in turn - the meal experience for students. It’s been a pleasure for me to experience many K–12 students’ first sip of milk from a milk dispenser and seeing their eyes light up while they’re still drinking it. It’s the same milk – but the students perceive it as tasting better!

Students also like having control over how much they pour, which supports a more positive meal experience. They like drinking from individual cups. It’s part of a meal experience similar to the home meal environment. Overall, it’s helped make milk feel more appealing. Students get excited about milk dispensers. Students go to restaurants and pour their individual beverages and mix flavors – why not at the school setting? Students like dispensing their own milk—the novelty, control, and “make-your-own mix” options (like blending flavored and unflavored milk) make the experience fun and better. Overall, it’s improved both participation and the student experience in the cafeteria.

Serving milk through dispensers helps students meet nutrition goals because the milk stays colder, is perceived as tasting better, thus the students are more likely to drink the full serving of milk. It also lets them pour the amount they want, reducing waste and supporting healthier habits. They drink the milk versus throwing it away in the trash. Research shows that low-income children between the ages of 5 and 18 get 77% of their daily milk consumption through school meals and thus that about 70% of their total dairy intake. The Dietary Guidelines recommend 3 servings of milk. If students put a milk on their tray for breakfast and lunch – that’s 2 of the 3 recommended servings of milk.

Milk is nutrient dense – it is a powerful package of nutrients that supports growth and development and even immune function. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, high-quality complete protein, and several important minerals and B vitamins.

One key consideration is whether you can source the 5-gallon milk bags required for the dispensers. Currently, not all Georgia milk processors or distributors offer these bags, though several providers do have them available.

Another key takeaway is that schools want solutions that support sustainability and cost-efficiency. Bulk milk dispensers drastically cut down on packaging waste and reduce the number of unopened cartons thrown away every day. This aligns perfectly with school sustainability goals.

Interested in learning more or taking the next step to join the future of serving milk in the K-12 world? I’m happy to talk more about dispensers with you and how it could work for your district. We have grant funding to help make it happen, too, generously donated by the Georgia dairy farmers. I can train staff and assist with kick-off, too. Cartons get the job done, sure… but dispensers are what take your program to the next level! Will’s email is: wmcwhirter@thedairyalliance.com

Will and The Dairy Alliance continue to work with school districts and dairy partners across the Southeast to expand access to milk dispensers and strengthen connections between students and local dairy farm families.

Written by: Will McWhirter

Helping Feed Families Across North Georgia

The 9th District School Nutrition Association proudly completed a community project collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the North Georgia Food Bank. This initiative reflected the district’s ongoing commitment to serving others, both inside and outside the cafeteria. Members across the district came together to help fight hunger in their local communities by donating canned goods, dry foods, and other essential pantry items.

Through this project, the 9th District made a meaningful impact during a time of year when food banks experience increased demand. The collected items directly supported families in need throughout North Georgia, helping ensure that no one went hungry. The district expressed gratitude to everyone who participated, spreading a message of kindness, compassion, and community service.

Happy New Year! I hope the year has started o well for you.

Unfortunately, January has been a hard month for many. Personally, I have felt overwhelmed helping care for my elderly parents, navigating the multiple changes at work, helping my young adult sons navigate life, being a good, present partner, etc. For me, it hasn’t seemed like there has been time to catch my breath.

During times like these, it’s important to remember to reach out to your support systems. Whether that is a coworker you conﬁde in, a supervisor, friend, or family member, letting people “in” opens the doors to help. Asking for support is not a weakness. It’s strength.

As we take care of ourselves, we should also keep an eye out for others who are also struggling. There are many people around us who are having a hard time. A kind word, or simple gesture can make a di erence in someone’s day.

Many of the precious children we all work hard to serve need our kindness now more than ever. For many of them, the meals they receive at school are the most stable and comforting part of their day. A smile at the serving line, a patient moment, or a simple acknowledgement can mean more than we will ever know.

Working in school nutrition is not easy work. It requires early mornings, long hours, patience, and a lot of heart. What you do matters. It matters to me. It matters to your community, and it matters to the children.

January may have been tough, but we don’t have to face the rest of the year alone. Take care of yourself. Lean on others. Look out for those who may need a little extra grace. We are all in this together.

I can’t wait to see you all out and about this semester-especially in Jekyll Island!

Susan Wickizer Blank GSNA Industry Advisory Chair

PepsiCo Away from Home