SNA Retains New Firm to Handle Its Legislative Affairs

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has retained the services of Barnes & Thornburg LLP for its advocacy and legislative services, effective immediately.

“In light of the historic regulatory challenges facing school nutrition professionals and with Child Nutrition Reauthorization on the horizon, SNA’s board of directors agreed that it was an ideal time for SNA to reflect on its advocacy strategies,” says SNA President Sandra Ford, SNS. Last year, USDA issued the first update to school meal pattern regulations in more than 15 years, and last month, the department released the first-ever regulations for competitive foods sold in school vending machines and a la carte lines.

At the request of the board, SNA issued a Request for Proposals for legislative services and considered several proposals from leading Washington, DC, based advocacy firms. A selection committee comprised of SNA Board members, SNA's CEO and Staff Vice President of Child Nutrition and Policy reviewed each proposal, conducted interviews with prospective firms and determined that Barnes & Thornburg was the best match for the organization's advocacy goals at this time.

SNA was previously represented by Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC. “School Nutrition Association extends our deepest thanks and appreciation to Marshall Matz for more than 30 years of dedicated service to SNA and its members,” says Ford.  “Marshall’s work on behalf of SNA has strengthened school nutrition programs for the millions of children who rely on healthy school meals.”

Barnes & Thornburg is one of the nation’s 100 largest full-service law firms with offices in 12 cities with the Washington office specializing in government relations. Partners from the firm will attend SNA’s 67th Annual National Conference in Kansas City July 14-17 to meet members, participate in conference events and engage in legislative planning discussions with the board of directors and the Public Policy and Legislation Committee.