SNA Names "Districts of Excellence"

The School Nutrition Association and the School Nutrition Foundation have recognized Alexandria (VA) City Public Schools, St. Paul (MN) Public Schools, Lee’s Summit (MO) R-7 School District and Riverside Local School District in Painesville, OH, with District of Excellence Distinction in School Nutrition designations following the fall 2008 application and peer review process.

The District of Excellence Distinction recognizes school districts that complete a thorough self-assessment in all four “key” areas in the Keys to Excellence program. The district’s excellence is then verified by a comprehensive application documenting knowledge and application of national best practices in nutrition and nutrition education, communications and marketing, administration, and operations. Given the funding and financial challenges currently facing school nutrition programs, those that are able to achieve this designation are expertly balancing a variety of competing priorities.

Keys to Excellence is a national best practice standards program that has been a core component of SNA’s professional development and training programs since 1992. It provides a way for school districts to compare their program to the industry’s gold standard while helping meet their goals to serve healthy, delicious food in a cost-effective way.

“This designation from the School Nutrition Association is a great honor because it recognizes the dedication and excellence of local school food and nutrition operations and the tremendous effort they take to make school meals delicious, attractive, nutritious, and economical,” says SNA President Katie Wilson. “These four school districts have successfully met the challenges of achieving a quality school nutrition program and we congratulate them on their achievement and commitment to excellence in school food and nutrition management.”