Over 1,000 Professionals Credentialed As School Nutrition Specialists

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 04 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Leuna Johnson SNS, Supervisor of School Nutrition Services for Assumption Parish Schools in Baton Rouge, La. became the 1,000th school nutrition professional to earn the School Nutrition Specialist credential offered by the School Nutrition Association (SNA.) The credentialing program that was begun by ASFSA in January of 1999 requires that school foodservice professionals fulfill academic requirements, have work experience in the field, participate in specialized training and pass a national exam. Ms. Johnson will be recognized at the SNA Annual National Conference in Philadelphia, Penn. on July 20, 2008.

The Credentialing Program of the School Nutrition Association was created to enhance the professional image of school foodservice and nutrition professionals. A key purpose of the Association is to develop and encourage the highest standards and provide education programs for professional development of school food and nutrition personnel. The Credentialing Program includes standards for academic and specialized training, knowledge and skills.

SNA president Mary Hill, SNS remarked "for over ten years now the SNS credential has recognized professionalism in the school nutrition field profession. Many of our members serve tens of thousands of nutritious, balanced meals each school day and manage school district programs with budgets of several million dollars." She continues, "our credential communicates to others a level of knowledge and expertise in the profession."

The credentialing program is recognized by school officials who hire and manage school foodservice programs. Job placement ads increasingly include the SNS credential as a requirement for the position. In some school districts employees receive an increase in salary once they become credentialed. One district in southeast Virginia recently approved a $1,000 annual foodservice credentialing bonus for any employee who achieves SNS status.

The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children's health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

School Nutrition Association