Heart of the Program Award
The 2012 winner of the Mid-West Region's Heart of the Program award is Angie Talbert from North Kansas City School District. Congratulations Angie!!
The School Nutrition Association sponsors a Heart of the Program Award. This award is designed to recognize the valuable program contribution of school nutrition employees who work with their manager in daily operations in preparing and serving appetizing meals to children. These employees can make the difference between an outstanding program or an average program.
Background
The Heart of the Program Award initially began as a program on the state level. The award was created to recognize outstanding school nutrition employees who exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the nutrition program. The popularity of state award programs prompted the creation of the national Heart of the Program Award.
The Award
Employees influence the quality of school nutrition programs by customer service, interest in young people, cooperation, work attendance, creativity, participation in professional growth and training and their willingness to “Go The Extra Mile” when necessary. These qualities are used to evaluate the Heart of the Program Award entries. Employees who are preparing and serving food are the Heart of the Program. Because the Heart of the Program Award is being implemented by states now, the same criteria will be used for the national award.
Who Is Eligible
This award is intended to recognize non-management staff. Foodservice/Nutrition and Child Care Employee staff members, excluding managers, may be nominated to win this award. A Foodservice/Nutrition or Child Care Employee staff member is one who is assigned to one school or a kitchen that serves more than one school. Nominations must be originated and submitted by any employee in the school or childcare center. These employees may select one person who meets the criteria described on the nomination form to represent their school at the state level. You cannot nominate or recommend yourself for the Heart of the Program Award.
Recognition
All awards will be provided by SNA:
• State, regional and national winners are recognized during the State Awards Ceremony at SNA’s Annual National Conference.
• State winners receive a red heart-shaped pin, a certificate, and a ribbon.
• Regional winners receive a blue heart-shaped pin, a framed certificate, and a rosette.
• National winner receives a gold heart-shaped pin, a plaque, a rosette and 1-year complimentary state and national SNA membership.
• National winner also receives a complimentary registration to the current year’s ANC.
Download the Heart of the Program Application.