President Letters
February 1, 2012
Dear MSNA Members,
Well, the long awaited, highly anticipated new meal pattern has been released. And while there is other news in child nutrition, this seems to be the focus of everyone right now.
As I begin to decipher the 280 page document and wonder how the changes will affect our programs, another thought has crossed my mind. Thanks to this organization and the School Nutrition Association (SNA), I am not alone. I can pick up the phone and call a colleague to ask “how are you going to handle this”. I can (and have!) use the talking points provided by SNA to address a parent’s concern. I can join a Webinar to ask specific questions or hear ones I haven’t had the chance to formulate yet.
For me, this is the real benefit of membership in MSNA and SNA. I am never alone. Thousands of child nutrition professionals through out the country are battling the same problems and enjoying some of the same success as I am. We can commiserate, plan, and celebrate with one another. I realize that everyone has different needs and reasons for joining our association; but this seems a great time to invite every child nutrition employee in Missouri to visit our website, see what we have to offer, and encourage both membership and active participation. We are all in this together!
Best Wishes
Paula Kullman, 2012 MSNA President
January 6, 2012
Dear MSNA Members,
It’s January and we expect cold weather, snow, and ice; so far though we’ve had unseasonably warm temperatures. I don’t think too many of us are complaining; but we are wondering when things will be normal.
This is not too different from what we are experiencing with the implementation of the Healthy Hunger Free Child Act of 2010. We all know what we’ve been told to expect: lower sodium requirements, more whole grains, limited use of starchy vegetables; but no one seems to know when those changes will blow through our cafeterias.
Many districts throughout the nation are making preparations in anticipation of the final rulings. Perhaps though, we will end up with the equivalent of a season’s supply of unused “ice melt” depending on how the USDA changes and rewords the various components of this bill.
Like meteorologists, we can look at the patterns, draw on past data, and do a fairly good job of forecasting the future of our child nutrition programs; but like Mother Nature, the USDA can throw us a curve at any time. We, at MSNA, want to help you be proactive rather than reactive. Not only do we try to provide the latest in news on our website, we offer many opportunities for professional development. Regional workshops are being scheduled now for the spring, the fall conference planning is underway, and we are promoting our two scholarships for members who want to pursue additional education.
MSNA is the voice of child nutrition in Missouri. Get to know us, visit our website at www.mosna.org, and let us help you dress your programs for the weather – whatever that may be.
Best Wishes
Paula Kullman, 2012 MSNA President