Georgia Gems Spring 2023

2022-2023 GSNA Executive Board

President

Alyssia Wright

President-Elect

Cathy Johnson

Secretary

Sheila Cooper Treasurer

Sandra Thrift

School Level Section Chair

Adina Tyre

System Level Section Chair

April Cox

Chair of District Presidents

Nakeitha Carter

Advisor to the President

Vanessa Hayes

State Staff Advisor

Dr. Linette Dodson

Georgia School Nutrition Association

GSNA Office 2372 Main Street Tucker, Georgia 30084 Phone: 770-934-8890; 1-877-221-8733 Fax: 770-934-8917

www.georgiaschoolnutrition.com

GSNA Facebook www.facebook.com/GeorgiaSNA

GSNA Twitter @GA_SNA

GSNA Instagram

@georgiasna

GSNA YouTube

GeorgiaSNA

Executive Director

Susan Cheshire Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Patrice Cayce

Membership & Meetings Coordinator

Daphne Webb

From The President

Alyssia Wright

Well Family… Who’s Ready for a Family Reunion?!?

I can’t begin to tell y’all how excited I am for the GSNA Conference in Jekyll Island on April 20-22, 2023! This Conference is all about cultivating relationships – whether you are attending to get a message from the amazing keynote speakers, to learn a thing or three from the education sessions and informal conversations, to visit the exhibit hall scouting for new products, to witness the first ever GSNA culinary demonstration, or to have a blast at the “All White Beach Bash” it is going to be a worthwhile and timely endeavor.

I encourage you to plan to arrive early for the pre-conferences and possibly extend your stay to relax and experience the beach. Our conferences are made great through the professionalism, creativity, and engagement of our presenters and attendees and the connections formed between members and Industry. Please consider sharing your thoughts, ideas, challenges, opportunities, and successes with fellow members at the various events. Meet new people. Sit with someone you do not know. Introduce yourself to as many fellow attendees as possible. Networking can enlighten you, inspire you and possibly change your life.

My many years of membership with GSNA and attending our conferences has helped me to both focus and expand my knowledge of all that our profession has to offer. The information I obtained at GSNA conferences prepared me well through all the initiatives, growth opportunities, professional development, and networking. Our goal is to create this same experience and more for you this year. So don’t miss out!

What’s New!

Did you miss the GSNA Financial Independence: Planning for Retirement Webinar presented by David Harris? Well, it was a “wealth” of information! Great news, you can catch it or watch it again on the NEW GSNA Ready To Learn Webinar platform located on the GSNA website. Whether you are close to retirement or just starting in your career, this is one you don’t want to miss.

COOKING WITH HEART will debut at Conference, allowing attendees to glean tips and tricks during our live culinary cooking demonstrations starring some of the most celebrated chefs in the Georgia School Nutrition Industry. A Special Thank You to Chef James Jabbarr, Chef William “Reggie” Sloan, and Chef Rachel Petraglia. This special session is hosted by Chef Vanessa Hayes and sponsored by David Pearson from PACE Reps. Stay tuned to find out if you are one of the lucky few, selected from conference registrations, to have a seat at the table.

Heartfully Yours,

Alyssia Wright

GSNA

President,

2022-2023

WrightAL@fultonschools.org

State Staff Advisor

Dr. Linette Dodson

As Susan Cheshire closes her career serving GSNA and its members as the Executive Director, the Department of Education School Nutrition Division extends our sincere appreciation for her dedication and commitment to Georgia School Nutrition.

We look forward to working with Laura Lynn in her new role as the GSNA Executive Director and the newly elected GSNA officers; President-Elect, Kim Kiker, Calhoun City, School Level Chair, and Amber Marin, Butts County, Secretary, Dee Mathis, Hall County.

As we progress through the second half of the school year and prepare for the summer, I would like to thank all our Georgia school nutrition professionals for your continued commitment to growth and learning, which is so valuable to providing quality school meals to your students.

The partnership between the state agency and the association is valuable in supporting your local program’s success. We look forward to the start of the next era of GSNA. Continue fueling Georgia’s future with excellence!

Dr. Linette Dodson

State Staff Advisor, 2022-2023

ldodson@doe.k12.ga.us

All Georgia School Nutrition Managers & Staff we have something JUST FOR YOU, Manager Outreach!

Find this customizable graphic & more for your school cafeteria on the Graphic Downloads section of our website HERE

Are you looking for inspiration?

Engage with us!

A Tribute to Susan

Retirement Wishes from Past GSNA Presidents

To Susan, Wow. What a phenomenal career Susan Cheshire has had leading our Georgia School Nutrition Association for 30+ years. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude for all that she has done and accomplished. Needless to say, it would be very difficult for me to have a group of

bosses that changes every year, but Susan seems to handle that with ease. She has done a stellar job leading our members through the past three decades. Susan possesses many wonderful leadership qualities. I am going to focus on three of them for this writing.

First, Susan has impeccable integrity. She has a strong, moral compass and presence. She is internally consistent and takes her job seriously. She works tirelessly to please as many officers and members as possible, knowing the ever-present budget is not limitless. Some years ago, I learned from a close friend and colleague of Susan’s that she struggles internally when she cannot grant every officer or members’ spending request. I never told Susan of this conversation with Carol Bebe of New York, but she will learn of it here. Being the consummate professional Susan is, we would not know of her internal work struggles, as she is most accepting of decisions made and mandates given. Susan is honest, hardworking and modest.

Occasionally, she might brag just a tad about her beautiful grandkids though! All grandparents have that right!

Secondly, Susan is super loyal, ethical and accountable. She adapts beautifully to the annual “changing of the guard” and shows consistent support to GSNA leadership and members as outlined in the Plan of Work. Susan’s low-key manner keeps those around her calm, especially in rough waters. Even at our annual conference, she remains cool and collected, gliding through the sea of activities with ease, but she is probably paddling like heck underneath! Susan is reassuring and is supportive of all of the member segments, fully embracing the motto, “Every voice counts.”

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Thirdly, Susan is ever trustworthy. I have never known her to betray the trust of others. She is tactful, tenacious and thoughtful. If Susan says she will do something, she does it! That does not mean that she, like so many, and perhaps most of us, might not need a reminder from time to time, still-the task is completed. Over the last 30 years, as I have worked alongside Susan and traveled with her to conferences and meetings, I have never known her to talk maliciously about others. That is integrity.

I’d like to add that Susan is not at all pretentious or showy.

She is discreet and low-key, sometimes seeming aloof, but she is far from it! Susan remains calm and collected. I have found Susan to be accepting of others and often conciliatory, never confrontational. That does not mean she will not “fight” (speak up) for what she believes in, but - when the horse is dead, she gets off and finds another horse to ride. Perhaps in retirement, the only horse she will ride will be on a smooth and care-free merry-go-round.

Thank you, Susan, for all of your many years of faithful and committed service. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude for building on our strong foundation and bringing the association where it is today!

Your friend always, Nancy

Rice

There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others…and this is exactly what you do.

You taught me to be fearless ,that there is no limit in what I could achieve in life. You continue to make the GSNA a

better place for everyone around you, and your guidance and wisdom are deeply appreciated. May all your days be as delightful and as bright as the lives of those you have touched.

You deserve it!

Marion Tharpe

Funny Memories

Teresa Stevenson

One-time GSNA was participating in a Health Fair in DeKalb County and a vendor was donating fresh apples and oranges and the director of that particular school told Susan that they would put the fruit in the cold pass through. Well, when I got there Susan was panicking because she could not find the fruit because she had no idea what was meant by a cold pass through! She and I laughed about this so much and joked about it a lot.

On several occasions when Susan and I would travel together, she would drive, and she and I would bring along cookbooks and the whole trip I would read unusual recipes to her, and she would try to figure out how all that went together. We laughed at this because Susan does not like to cook, so we found it funny that she was interested in recipes and old Southern cookbooks.

I was always the navigator wherever we went on trips. One time, Susan, Josephine Mack and I went to Nevada, and we rented a car and I had to sit upfront to be the navigator (of course this was way before GPS!). I ended up taking us way around the town giving us the “scenic route” to the conference hotel. I never lived that one down.

Susan always at the end of some GSNA activity such as Kick-off Luncheon or any event would say, “Well, we can check that off our list for this year and on to the next event!”

Celebrating Retirement

Here’s to 30 years of Fueling Georgia’s children

It is my honor to write a Tribute to Susan Cheshire. I have known Susan for over 25 years now. She has been my inspiration, mentor, cheerleader and most of all my friend. I first meet Susan when I joined GSNA as a new hire in the Spalding County School System in 1996. I watched how much she loved School Nutrition, GSNA and most importantly the members. She encouraged me and supported me in both my educational and career goals. She has led our association through good times and bad.

We have shared so many memories. Including visited new places, had culinary adventures, and most of all had fun. Her passion for School Nutrition and our association is both infectious and inspiring. I will always be grateful for all she has poured into this young shy girl with so many dreams, that seemed out of reach. Susan and GSNA are part of the reason I am who I am today.

God sent us on the same path and allowed us to reach goals I never thought were possible. I am so blessed to have served with Susan and will be forever grateful for all she has done for me, School Nutrition and the association. I wish her adventure and happiness in her next chapter of life. Susan you will be forever in my thoughts and in my prayers. We love you and will treasure you always.

Nicole James

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away. And all of you who had the privilege to know Susan knew that she definitely took our breath away... in GSNA as a past president, as a leader in school nutrition in Bibb, Cobb and Forsyth County Schools, and to her huge number of friends.

I did not grow up with Susan, but I got there as soon as I could. Having Susan as a friend was like having Christmas everyday. She exuded the Spirit of what life is supposed to be and she was just plain fun!!!

If she were with us this moment, she would tell us to celebrate her life because and I quote, “God know that I certainly have”.

And lastly, and to quote one of her favorite songs: If you get the chance to sit it out or dance… DANCE!

Melissa Mabry

Susan, a SPECIAL Lady, worked many extra hours to lead our GSFSA/GSNA in a business-like way to make us all proud. We appreciate the extra hours that you devoted to the association.

In a quiet, non-assuming way, you just got things done! I never saw you so frustrated that you didn’t know what to do next… or who to ask for help. Our association is a better and stronger because of your diligence. Your leadership and influence will be long remembered by all of us who knew you.

I wish you good health and much happiness as you retire to devote more time to sleeping late, to the grandchildren and to doing things wants to do.

Mary Nix

You treated all with respect and treated all the same. I never saw you lose your cool when something was not going exactly right, and you figured out how to handle it with grace. I never saw you talk about others or gossiped with others. Your professionalism was always there. You listened to our ideas when we worked on our president's year and was aways open to new things. Of course, you kept us in line with our finances which was a good thing.

When I was traveling with you, you could always find the best restaurants and places to visit. From the Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco to chocolate fondue in Portland, it was always great fun. You and Nancy did freeze me to death in the hotel in San Francisco. Ha!

Hal

GSNA could not have the outstanding reputation we have across the US without your guidance these years. I wish for you a wonderful, peaceful, healthy retirement. Retirement is fun and hope to see you soon.

Lana Freeland

Retired

And Admired

Dear Susan,

That you for the wonderful years you have been the Executive Director of our great Association. You have been a great leader. You never complained about the long hours we kept. You have ferried all of us across Georgia and other places steadfastly.

You treated all of us with respect and treated all the same. I never saw you lose your cool when something was not going exactly right, and you figured out how to handle it with grace. I never saw you talk about others or gossiped with others. Your professionalism was always there. You listened to our ideas when we worked on our president's year and was aways open to new things. Of course, you kept us in line with our finances which was a good thing.

GSNA Executive Director

Susan Cheshire

Dear Friends in Georgia School Nutrition,

While I hope this is not a final “Goodbye”, I will be retiring as GSNA Executive Director as of March 30, 2023, and may not see many of you again.

It has certainly been my pleasure to work with all of you for “Building Healthy Children, Ready to Learn” these past 30 plus years!

You have always been an inspiration to me, in your steadfast devotion to feeding Georgia’s children and doing what is best for those children.

You have showed courage and leadership though tornados, hurricanes, ice storms, legislative upheaval. changing USDA regs, and the latest, COVID. Serving lunches though parent car pick up lines, school buses and other creative means, meant the students in Georgia public schools did not go hungry (nor their families) during all of these challenges.

Finally, I would like to leave you with a wonderful quote from one of my favorite authors – Maya Angelou –

I hope that I have made each one of you feel like a HERO because you are!

Keep on working for Georgia’s children, and your path will be “to the stars”!

With great affection,

Susan Cheshire

GSNA Executive Director

susan@georgiaschoolnutrition.com

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

GSNA HEARTBEATS on a Mission Drive Winners

The Heartbeats on a Mission Membership Drive was developed this year to encourage and incentivize members to recruit new members all year long with a BIG award opportunity in March.

Thanks to everyone’s recruiting efforts GA gained a total of 500+ new members between September 2022 – February 2023.

KUDOS to GA being named the SNA Fall Membership Drive winner for the 1001+ membership division.

All members who recruited a new member during the drive period (and listed their name of the new member’s application as having “introduced them to GSNA/SNA) had their names entered into our Heartbeats drawing for some fabulous prizes.

Join us in congratulating the following winners of our 2023 Heartbeats on a Mission Membership Drive

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE WINNERS CONGRATULATIONS!!

3rd place (1 Conference Full Registration)

Elizabeth Bohler – Wilkes County

2nd place (2 Conference Full Registrations)

Holly Schweinsberg, Troup County

Rachel Cole, Troup County

1st place (1 Conference Full Registration & Hotel Accommodations)

Karen Seay, Clayton County

Georgia School Nutrition Association Annual Conference & Exhibition

April 20-22, 2023 Jekyll Island, GA

It’s a Family Reunion! GSNA invites you to join us on Jekyll Island April 20-22, 2023, to celebrate school nutrition. We are back and once again giving you the FULL conference experience!

Our 2023 Annual Conference will be packed with dynamic keynote speakers, informative educational sessions and a wide variety of exhibits as well as lots of FUN!

Registration is now open! The EARLY registration rate ENDS on March 17, 2023.

2023 Conference T-Shirts

What's a family reunion without your family reunion t-shirt!

Rep your GSNA District Family with your conference tshirt. Each district will have matching-colored t-shirts to wear on Friday, April 21, 2023, for General Session. T-shirts are included with each conference registration. Registrations received after March 31, 2023, cannot be guaranteed to include a Conference T-shirt.

Explore the 2023 Show Exhibitors!

Keynote Speakers

Featured at the Opening General Session

Friday, April 21, 2023

Brian N. Beane sponsored by Ingenious Culinary Concepts

“Tap into Your Instincts”

Brian N. Beane, a professional coach, trainer, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential through personal growth, financial literacy, and business. Hear what people are saying about Brian N. Beane.

Featured at the Closing General Session

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Logan Weber

"Sticks and Stones"

Be prepared to laugh and learn as you discover what many people feel is the most challenging part of their work - THE PEOPLE!! Sales reps and customers... managers and direct reports... teachers and students... co-workers (heck, even husbands and wives... parents and children) Relationships! It all boils down to relationships. https://www.webermotivation.com/about

Tentative Education Sessions

A snapshot of educational sessions with something for everyone. Food assistants, bookkeepers, managers and directors will find a session to fit your needs!

https://homebase.map-dynamics.com/gsna2023/schedule

• Recruiting and Retaining Strong “Family Members”

• Breaking Bland: Fun & Exciting Ways to Decorate Serving Lines!

• Help! We don’t have a SN Maintenance Team

• “Look at Us!” - Effective Marketing Techniques

• Knowing Your WHY

• Successful Family Chore List: Work Schedule Success

• Moving on Up: Do You Have a Desire to Grow in Your Career?

• A Series of a Million Little Miracles: Small stuff can make a BIG Impact!

• Steps to Implement a Successful Assistant Manager Program

• Communicating your Financials to Stakeholders

• Lighten Up! Maintaining Accountability While Building Relationships

• GSNA Benefits…Get the Bang for your Buck

• Managing the "Itchy Line" - Allergens & Special Diets

• Leadership Strategies for Building & Retaining a High Performing Team

• The Flavors of Finance

• Personal & Professional Growth

• Planning & Procuring a Cafeteria Decor Package

Pre-Conference Educational Sessions

Kickoff your 2023 GSNA conference experience with a pre conference session. Tour legendary Georgia coastal institutions, take your team on a leadership experience or get ServSafe re certified. We have it ALL!

Sessions will be on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM For more information on pre-conference sessions, click here.

Fueling Georgia’s Future with Quality

Meals - Rich's Tour & Culinary Session sponsored by Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Program

• $125 per person FREE! Registration & transportation paid for by GaDOE.

• Maximum of 100 attendees

Leadership Training & Team Building at Epworth

• $125 per person

• Minimum of 12 - maximum of 95 attendees

Sea Island Dining & Kitchen Tour

• Maximum of 24 attendees

• $125 per person

ServSafe Re-certification Test

• $50 plus online exam fees

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Registration Open

GSNA Industry Advisory Board Meeting

Executive Board Meeting/ House of Delegates Meeting

- 4:00PM 12:00-4:00PM 1:00 – 4:00 PM

SNS Exam

Silent Auction Check In

Pre-Conference Sessions

Friday, April 21, 2023 8:00AM-6:00PM

Registration Open

Wellness Activity: Beach-Walk

Director’s Networking Breakfast (Director’s Only)

Educational Sessions #1

Director’s Lounge Opens

Exhibits Private Showing (Directors, Assistant Directors, Coordinators, Buyers, and Supervisors only)

Silent Auction Check In

Educational Sessions #2

Exhibits Hall Opens to All

AM – 3:00 PM

3:15PM– 4:15 PM

4:30 - 5:30 PM

6:00-7:00 PM

7:00 – 10:00 PM

Silent Auction Open

Opening General Session

Keynote Speaker: Brian N. Beane

Awards: Scholarships & Grant-in-Aid, Leadership Academy

District Meetings

Industry Reception

Beach Bash – All White Party

Saturday, April 22, 2023

7:00 AM -3:00 PM 7:00 AM 8:30-9:45AM 9:45-11:15AM 10:00AM - 1:00 PM

AM

AM

AM-12:45 PM 1:00 -2:45 PM 3:00 - 5:00 PM 5:00-7:00

Registration Open

Wellness Activity: Yoga

Family Celebration- Awards

Awards: Ann C. Smith, Naomi Tolbert Central Office Support Award, Culinary Arts, Media Awards, NAC Awards, Heart of the Program, Louise Sublette Award, Beyond the Plate Award, Josephine Martin Award and Director of the Year Award.

Silent Auction Open

Exhibits Open to All

Silent Auction Close-out & Item Pick-up

Past Georgia State President’s Luncheon

Culinary Demos: Cooking With HEART - Culinary Inspirations from Around the State

Educational Sessions #3

Closing General Session:

Keynote Speaker: Logan Weber

Awards: Scroll Awards, President’s Awards, Malcolm Quillen School Nutrition Hero Award, and A.L.I.R.T. Awards

GSN Foundation Golf Tournament

Fore the Family: GSN Foundation Invites you to the 2023 Reunion Golf Tournament on Jekyll Island!

Join your school nutrition family on the golf course at the 2023 Georgia School Nutrition Foundation (GSNF) Golf Tournament hosted by Steve Shockley & Emily Hanlin.

You can play as a team or individually. Get your “island vibe” on early as you kick-off your 2023 Annual Conference experience on the Jekyll Island golf course making new connections, new friends or just having a “reunion” with your old ones!

All golf registrations will include lunch.

Tee time will be at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Golf Tournament Registration Form

Please complete your registration and return by April 3, 2023.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Power Up With Moo Brew

Dairy In Schools

Across the nation, milk consumption among teens has steadily declined over the past several years. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, overall milk consumption among teens fell 20% between 2010 and 2019. This is largely due to the rise in popularity of coffeebased drinks.

To combat the decline, the Florida Association of Dairy Farmers and Orange County Public Schools came up with a creative way to boost milk consumption among students “Moo Brew.” The new, appropriately-named icedcoffee drink consisted of only two ounces of coffee and eight ounces of milk and was a huge hit among students.

Dorie Nesper, an area supervisor for Whitfield County School Nutrition, read an article on the success of Moo Brew and brought it to the attention of School Nutrition Director Angie Brown.

Brown, knowing how beneficial milk is to teens’ health, gave Nesper the green light to contact the Georgia Dairy Council with the idea to bring Moo Brew to Whitfield County Schools (WCS). The Georgia Dairy Council provided a grant to purchase the necessary equipment to get started and Whitfield County School Nutrition was the first to launch Moo Brew in the state of Georgia. [continued on page 23]

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The pandemic delayed the start of the program until August 2023, but when the campaign finally launched, it was a triumphant success. Currently, Moo Brew is served daily in three of four WCS high schools and has increased milk consumption to an average of 200 pints of milk a day. Each high school has its own signature flavor — Phoenix Flame (cinnamon vanilla), Bruin Brew (chocolate caramel), Colt Cup (vanilla chocolate), and Raider Rage (vanilla caramel) — and offers seasonal flavors such as pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha. Between the three high schools, roughly 700 cups a day are served.

Due to the high demand of Moo Brew, Whitfield County School Nutrition sought the help of students in Whitfield County Schools’ Work-Based Learning (WBL) program to man the Moo Brew serving stations. The partnership with WBL provides students the opportunity to apply academic and technical skills and develop their employability. These

students are a great asset to the School Nutrition team and their hard work and dedication is a part of what makes Moo Brew so successful.

The popularity of Moo Brew has also attracted a production company documenting the history of milk. The documentary will feature the creative spin on iced coffee and the success Whitfield County School Nutrition has seen in boosting students’ milk consumption. Stay tuned!

Whitfield County School Nutrition

Communication is the KEY!

Kristen Dukes, Tasty Brands – Southeast Regional Sales Manager

Dawn Lewis, Coffee County School Nutrition Director

In today’s world with everything that is available for communication including texts, social media, email etc., it seems that sometimes we have lost the art of real communication. Communication is a critical component of a successful school nutrition program. Not just communication within the school district but with everyone who contributes to the program. The old saying “it takes a village” is true in school nutrition as well. It does take a village to make a program. That village includes students, teacher, parents, employees, other school system staff, as well as our industry partners. Communication includes promoting what we do, what we serve through social media outlets and the day to day communication with our employees,

school system staff/leaders, and our industry partners. “I am in constant communication with our industry partners including manufacturers. A relationship built with these partners is critical not only in the good times but the not so good times as well. Honest feedback on products which are not working in our district as well as ideas for future products help build a stronger program” – Dawn Lewis. As a district director, I want to make sure we have not only a positive social media presence which is part of our communication but that we are communicating with the people who help build our program. From the manufacturing side, that communication is just as important. As a manufacturer, it is all about partnerships. We take a proactive role in listening to our customers’ needs so we can provide the best possible experience in every interaction we have with them. From meetings to deliveries, serving and promoting menu items, every part of our organization considers themselves an extension of our customers’ programs. We all have the same goal and that is feeding children. With great communication, it leads to great partnerships.

Kristen Dukes, Tasty Brands –Southeast Regional Sales Manager Dawn Lewis, Coffee County School Nutrition Director

“When new equipment is delivered, I train the kitchen staff on the proper use and care and also make follow-up visits to ensure the equipment is working properly or see if the kitchen staff have any questions. It’s very rare that I go back to check on a piece of equipment and find that the staff is using it to its full potential.” Janet went on to say that school districts with consistent training are able to make the most of the equipment they invest in. Employees who feel appreciated and challenged through professional development opportunities ultimately feel more satisfaction toward their jobs and their employers. At the end of the day, the investment in training that a district makes demonstrates to the employees they are valued, and the training creates a supportive and energized workplace.

Glynn County School Nutrition

Employee Training

A Top Priority For A Stronger Future

The rise in technology and the lingering effects from Covid19 related shutdowns are fueling rapid change when it comes to employee training. Virtual training became somewhat normal for most industries, and many are just getting back to in-person training.

Shelley Daniel, School Nutrition Director for Glynn County Schools shared that “higher quality products and more efficient and helpful customer service will set your program apart from the competition. Achieving this will require employees who aren’t just good but are the best at what they do. To become the best and remain the best, they’ll need continuous workplace training.”

School Nutrition has the added difficulty of high employee turnover and increasingly sophisticated culinary equipment. It’s more important than ever to train your entire cafeteria staff on how to use equipment correctly to ensure the best tasting results for our students. It is also imperative to train on the proper way to care for the equipment, which is a large financial investment.

Glynn County School Nutrition recently coordinated a training event for employees with Chef Boyd from Premier Foodservice Group. Not only did employees learn how to add simple flavors for exceptional taste results, but they also learned how a new combi-oven’s flexibility and cooking methods differ from a more traditional convection oven.

Industry partner, Janet Mitchell, K-12 Business Development Manager for Premier Foodservice Group agrees,

School Nutrition Assistants Program

February 10, 2023

Coffee Concepts

Fulton County School Nutrition, CGA Reps Food Service Equipment & General Mills

In January 2019, Corey Ferger, CGA Rep, took the success of the Franke Fully Automatic Espresso machines to the K12 cafeteria. The vision was simple: let's find a new lever to pull to engage the students and drive breakfast participation. Four years on, not only has the concept been proven successful, it has become a standard in High School Cafeterias across Georgia!

Fulton County's School Nutrition Team was among the first to take this theory and test it out. The Fulton County Team took from previous successes and built upon them at Riverwood High School. Much of the modern iteration of the Specialty Coffee Shop in our high schools in Georgia comes from the efforts of the Fulton County School Nutrition Team and their desire to continue to innovate.

In partnership with CGA Reps Food Service Equipment & General Mills, the Fulton County School Nutrition offered complimentary Espresso & Specialty Coffee and muffins and pastries to the entire Administrative Office. Fulton County District Staff was welcomed to check out the Franke Coffee Machines offered in several High School Cafes and sample a variety of fantastic coffee options.

This event allowed the School Nutrition Program to educate fellow team members about K12 nutrition regulations and sample potential new breakfast entrees. It truly is remarkable how the landscape of School Nutrition was shifted from such a simple idea. The desire and passion of the Fulton County School Nutrition Team to find new vehicles to not only feed their students, but to provide a space that they could uniquely call their own, has forever changed the perceptions of how students all across the country view their Programs. And for that, we would like to say, "Thanks a Latte."

Conference

Savvy Strategists

Scrap and Stack

Alyssia Wright, Executive Director Fulton County School Nutrition, and Claudia Harry, New Age Industrial’s factory representative with The Hansen Group, are the winning partners in the first Custom Product Design Contest sponsored by New Age Industrial Corp. Bringing together unique and complementary skill sets, Wright and Harry collaborated to create the award-winning Scrap and Stack specialty cart.

Scrap… Simply roll the unit in place and scrape leftover food, through the cutout in the solid top, into the scrap container below.

And Stack. Steam table pans are stacked, two wide, and contained within the top rail. Sheet pans are stacked just below the top deck along with a removable soiled utensil container.

Click here to learn more about this award-winning design!

Industry Insight

Industry Insight shines a light on the connections & partnerships between Georgia School Nutrition Professionals and their incredible Industry Partners.

January Industry Insight: Key Impact Sales & Systems!

In January, Jennifer Sovik from KeyImpact Sales & Systems visited Richmond County Nutrition Services and presented during the Managers Back to School Meeting. Managers and staff had the opportunity to taste-test new menu items! To Jennifer & KeyImpact, we thank you for all you do for our teams!

December Industry Insight: Industry Seminar SponsorsCafeterias Redefined, Dyma Brands, Peterson Farms, CGA Reps, First Market Group, General Mills, Pace Reps, The Hansen Group, SFSPac, Super Bakery, & PMR

From the Innovation Stations with vendors, the Student Panel and LEAD to Succeed Learning, to NetWorkIt! in the Resource Room, and Dinner Casino Night, it was great to LEAD, INNOVATE, & ENGAGE!

Industry Insight

February Industry Insight: Prime Food Brokers & Pace Reps!

Brantley County School Nutrition enjoyed a day of training with delicious meals provided by Whitnie Dixon from Prime Food Brokers featuring breakfast grab n go items, Rich Chicks and Maid Rite entrée ideas. The day also consisted of training rotations from Pace Reps with David Pearson, Tina Palumbo and Marsha Carlson. We thank everyone for their support & an awesome day of learning!

A Tribute to

National School Breakfast Week

District of the Month

GSNA District of The Month highlights the best practice activities taking place from a local district throughout the State of Georgia.

January District of The Month: Douglas County School Nutrition!

Douglas County is serving up tasty meals to keep students full and focused for a long day of learning. Cafes menued Warm Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with a Cheesy Grilled Cheese, Savory Sautéed Spinach Dip, Homemade Turkey Ranch Wrap, and Warm & Tasty Broccoli Cheese Soup served with Grilled Cheese.

December District of The Month: Forsyth County School Nutrition!

Forsyth County is in the Holiday Spirit with Harvest of the Month, Holiday meals, and gift donations. HOTM, Lettuce & Citrus were promoted with coloring pages, puzzles, and nutritional information. Schools are decorated for the season as staff dons their holiday apparel with special guest visitors. To keep the spirit bright, Cafes collected and donated holiday gifts for Hightower Association.

Forsyth County is part of District 9. Congratulations, Forsyth County School Nutrition! LETTUCE celebrate the season of giving!

Douglas County is part of District 7. Congratulations, Douglas County School Nutrition! These meals are sure to bring a smile to any student's face.

District of the Month

February District of The Month: Richmond County School Nutrition!

Richmond County launched NEW! Smart Mouth Pizza to high school students throughout the district. Smart Mouth pizzas are personal pan pizzas in a variety of flavors. Cafes offer Smart Mouth as an additional menu option for students during lunch.

Richmond County is part of District 10. Congratulations, Richmond County Nutrition Services! These new options are sure to have a PIZZA your student's hearts.

Around The State

Check out what’s happening in Georgia

GSNA District 1

Treutlen County –Farm to fork for Georgia students.

Chattham County – Showcasing National & International cuisines through their Bridges to Food and Culture Series.

Tift County –Tifton Taco Tuesday.

GSNA District 2

Decatur County –World School Milk Day.

Muscogee County –Happy Valentine’s Day!

Houston County – Celebrating Chinese New Year in the café.

GSNA District 4

Newton County –It’s Brunch for Lunch!

Gwinnett County –Engaging with students & families at the Community Health & Resource Fair.

GSNA District 5

Atlanta Public Schools – Fresh, warm delicious soups served every Thursday during the “Souper Bowl” celebration.

GSNA District 6

Bibb City – World Milk Day is

LEGEN-DAIRY!

Thomaston Upson County –Green Eggs & Ham from the café for Dr.Seuss’s birthday.

GSNA District 7

Cobb County – SKITTS Awards

GSNA District 8

Glynn County – From the school garden to the lunch tray!

Douglas County – Wing Bowl: Hot Wings VS Lemon Pepper Wings.

Coffee County – Smiling face in the café!

Jeff Davis County – Back Pack Buddy program participation for under privileged kids.

District 7 –District Meeting

District 8 – District Meeting

GSNA District 9

Forsyth

GSNA District 10

Hall County – Students were treated to an inside look during a fun-filled kitchen tour.

Baldwin County collaboration project with the Arts Department and Baldwin Grows Garden.

County – Celebrating Reading Across America week & Dr. Seuss’s Birthday!

Putnam County – Students get to try NEW lunch entrees: Beef Taco Salad Shakers.

Georgia Gems

Georgia Gems is published by the Georgia School Nutrition Association. Articles and editorials in Georgia Gems represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Georgia School Nutrition Association nor does acceptance of any advertising imply endorsement of the product(s) or service(s).

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