OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe children should be empowered to make healthy food choices that reflect the nutrition principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA recommendations. We strive to Keep Nutrition in Our Schools.

OUR PURPOSES

• Promote optimal food habits and nutritional status of the population with special emphasis on children through direction and leadership for quality practice, education, and research.
• Promote professional competence in the delivery of nutrition services to children through quality assurance and support of educational programs.
• Promote and support nutrition education in the school community.
• Support legislation that influences the effective delivery of nutrition services to children.

SNS DPG MEMBERSHIP

… is available to all members of the American Dietetic Association, regardless of membership classification or employment status. The School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group has over 1100 members working in school districts, federal and state agencies, business and industry, and colleges and universities.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Through dietetic practice groups, ADA members are able to interact with colleagues in the same area of practice or interest, receive practice-related references, newsletters and publications, obtain scholarships, and participate in continuing education programs.
What SNS DPG members receive:
Web page with current happenings of the DPG www.snsdpg.org

• Nutrition Link, an informative newsletter published quarterly which features original educational articles, news of interest to child nutrition professionals, and DPG events.
• Continuing education units and networking opportunities at ADA and the School Nutrition Association (SNA) annual national meetings, state meetings, and SNS DPG sponsored meetings and workshops.
• Membership directory for networking with food service and child nutrition professionals throughout the country.
• Use of a professional meeting table display at “no cost” to members.
• Pride in nominating DPG members or food service professionals for ADA awards and / or recognition.
• Opportunities to contribute to an endowment fund designed for the sole purpose of enhancing the dietetic profession through a graduate scholarship for a selected DPG membership.

SOME SNS DPG ACTIVITIES

• Engages in activities that reflect a positive image of child nutrition professionals.
• Provides endowment funding for a graduate scholarship granted to a member of SNS DPG.
  
• Takes part in the ADA Alliance Program to develop collaborative partnerships that further child nutrition goals and provide networking opportunities.
• Provides expertise and information in the development and review of ADA position papers related to child nutrition and the management of school food service programs.
• Participates in ADA legislative activities.
• Sponsors seminars and workshops for continuing education at ADA and SNA annual national meetings and state affiliate meetings, and provide speakers for other professional meetings such as the annual meeting of the Association of School Business Officials International.

SNS DPG is a Career Resource

If you are an ADA member interested in a new Career that will provide you with an avenue for enhancing the lives of children or a parent (dietitian) looking for ways to work with your local school district SNS DPG is an excellent resource and networking opportunity.

Past Chairs of School Nutrition Services DPG

School Nutrition Services, (formerly School Nutrition Food Services, and School Food Service):

 .        Lucille B. Barnette, RD, 1977-79

.         Ruth B. Moskowitz, RD, 1979-80

.         Joann Styer, RD, 1980-81

.         Ethel G. Ott, RD, 1981-82

.         Frances E. McGlone, RD, 1982-83

.         Connie Hardesty, RD, 1983-84

.         Penny E. McConnell, RD, 1984-85

.         Frances C. Parker, MS, RD, LDN, 1985-86

.         Monya H. Geller, RD, 1986-87

.         Elaine Agee*, RD, 1987-88

.         Dorothy I. Pond-Smith, PhD, RD, CD, 1988-89

.         Josephine Martin, PhD, RD, LD, 1989-90

.         Betty Bender, MS, RD, 1990-91

.         Beverly M. Lowe, RD, 1991-92

.         Nancy Cecil, MS, RD, 1992-93

.         Nancy J. Kennon, MS, RD, LDN, 1993-94

.         Hope P. Ponce, RD, 1994-96

.         Bettie Sue Greig, MS, RD, LD, 1996-97

.         Tami J. Cline, MS, RD, 1997-98

.         Clare H. Miller, MS, RD,  1998-99

.         Karen Kettlewell, MS, RD, 1999-00

.         Vivian B. Pilant, MS, RD, 2000-01

.         Cathy Reed, MS, RD, LD, 2001-02

.         Martha T. Conklin, PhD, RD, 2002-03

.         Beverly L Girard, MBA, MS, RD, 2003-04

.         Ruth Gordon, MEd, RD, LD, 2004-05

.         Linda B. Godfrey, MS, RD, LD, 2005-06

.         Kathleen Glindmeier, MBA, RD, 2006-07
.         Beth Thorson, MS, RD, 2007-08