November 3, 2011 – It's hard to believe, but SNA’s 2012 Child Nutrition Industry Conference (CNIC) is just two short months away! We've been busy planning and preparing conference sessions, speakers and events to make this the most exciting and valuable CNIC yet! Are you ready to create your roadmap for change? This year’s conference will be held January 15-17, 2012, at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, Fla., where you will tap into the ideas, insights and innovations of your school nutrition colleagues and industry experts in order to steer your operation or business through the most complex challenges on the road today. Not registered yet? If you register by November 15th, you will save $50 off the regular registration fees!
If you’re already registered and counting down the days to CNIC 2012, be sure you arrive in Orlando in time to participate in the School Nutrition Foundation’s Chippin’ for Children Benefit Golf Tournament. This 9-hole tournament will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 12:45 pm, on the International Course at the Omni ChampionsGate. This beautiful and serene course was designed by the legendary Greg Norman and is an authentic links-style golf experience, reminiscent of the great golf courses of the British Isles.
No matter if you’re looking to perfect your swing or you’re just interested in relaxing on the links, this event is sure to be a good time for all. This is also a great opportunity for industry partners to build and enhance their company’s relationship with director- and supervisor-level members from across the country by sponsoring a foursome. Foodservice operators are invited to play at no charge and each foursome will be divided between industry and operators. For more details about this event or to register to sponsor/participate, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/cnic. With the proceeds of this event going to benefit the Foundation’s Professional Growth Scholarship program, you don’t have to hit a hole in one to be a champion for child nutrition.
Another event that was recently added to the conference schedule is the MyPlate Mixer, a fun networking activity based on the USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate.gov is designed to remind attendees to eat healthfully and guide them to resources and tools to put the Dietary Guidelines into action. Through this food experience, you will have an opportunity to put those guidelines into practice. This Mixer is also your chance to network with all the Innovation Station companies. Each company representative will be available to answer your questions and provide information that you can use within your own school district. You don’t want to be out of the mix!
For details about CNIC, including sessions, speakers, events and more, please visit the dedicated CNIC 2012 section of SchoolNutrition.org.
CNIC 2012
Register for CNIC
SNF Chippin’ for Children Benefit Golf Tournament
November 3, 2011—What’s most important to you when it comes to equipment and the equipment procurement process? School nutrition operators shared their thoughts on this topic in a roundtable discussion with research and consulting firm Y-Pulse, LLC.
Participants cited a desire for equipment that is versatile enough for a variety of uses and that adds cost efficiency to their operations. Operators explained that when handling equipment purchases, they seek to do business with manufacturer equipment representatives who have a detailed understanding of school nutrition operations, are honest, can answer how the equipment will serve their needs and who will take the time to provide in-depth training and service after the sale. They explained that proactive support eliminates the underuse of sophisticated equipment.
Operators identified the first 18 months as an important period in building and establishing good habits in using new equipment, establishing who they should call for specific needs with the equipment and learning how to resolve installation- and performance-related issues.
School nutrition operators participating in Y-Pulse’s roundtable noted that because very few plans are executed exactly as planned when it comes to equipping new facilities and remodeling, they appreciate working with consultants who are collaborative and work together to review and adjust design specifications throughout the process. Participants also expressed a desire for more assistance in extending their existing platforms without remodeling or remaking their spaces and indicated an interest in access to advanced specialty equipment.
For more information about Y-Pulse and its research , visit www.ypulse.org.
Y-Pulse, LLC