Thelma Becker, 1926-2015

Former School Nutrition Association (SNA) President Thelma Becker passed away on February 8, 2015, in Harleysville, Pa., the SNA has announced. Becker led the organization, then known as the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA), as president from 1986 to 1987, representing the state of Pennsylvania, where she was the foodservice director for Souderton (Pa.) Area School District for nearly 20 years. She concluded her year as president by presiding over the 1987 Annual National Conference in Salt Lake City.

Among Becker's accomplishments were battling the Reagan Administration's attempts to cut child nutrition program budgets and invigorating the Association’s networking efforts with allied associations such as the National School Boards Association, the American Association of School Administrators and the Association of School Business Officials International.

Additionally, along with Jane Wynn and Shirley Watkins, Becker played an integral role in securing funding for the National Food Service Management Institute.