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Our Vision: Well-nourished students prepared for success	FALL 2022

Executive Board 2022-2023 Marie Johnson
President Edwanda Williams
President Elect Dean Gallegos
Vice-President/Member Services Monica Martinez
Secretary/Nominating Chair Debra Trujillo
Treasurer Virginia Schroeder
Legislative Chair Shelley Montgomery
Education Chair Holly Valenzuela
Resolutions/Bylaws Chair Chimene Quillen
Marketing Chair/Roadrunner Editor Sheri Fernandez
Industry Chair Ginger Lange
Region 1 Sue Eddy
Region 2
Rachel Roybal-Rogers Region 3
Kim Meeks Region 4
Sandra Davis Region 5
Marylou Nez Begay Region 6

EX-OFFICIO Janet Sanchez
Executive Director Rosalinda Sanchez
Processor Michael Chavez
PED Deputy Director Jerid Ortiz
FANS Bureau Debra Candelaria
CYFD, Family Nutrition

Greetings NMSNA!

Greetings NMSNA! As we enter what we all hope is the last phase of the pandemic, we are all looking for ways to return to a new normal. Though “normal” may not quite describe it, many of us are starting to return to a version of the life we led before the coronavirus pandemic.

As leaders how can we focus our efforts to returning all aspects of our operations safely, effectively and energetically? Each of our operations and teams will have a unique set of questions and challenges. But so far, we've acknowledged the very distinct situations each of our districts are living, which span the realms of strategy to tactics. Building an achievable path forward together will depend on every member of our team contributing and supporting the plan.

One thing we know for sure is that a new shape of our work environments is emerging. Quickening the pace towards reinvention, however, requiring a concerted effort on a few essentials: safety, quick stabilization and dynamic energy!

No one knows what our “new normal” will look like six months or even six weeks from now but what's beautiful is we have the ability to shape it into whatever we want to see. How often do we get this unique opportunity? We all must take advantage and make our operations the best ever.

Here are some essential tips for guiding the return & development of our new normal:

1. Re-examine job descriptions/positions, work schedules and current processes /systems. Ask yourself can I combine positions? Why were we doing that? Is it working? During covid we did this and it was better, why?
2. As a leader can I delegate some activities to focus on more pertinent priorities? Clarify priorities and realign your leadership role.
3. Focus on cost savings in all areas of your operations.
4. Use change as an agent of transforming the operation for optimal performance and efficiency. Do not keep doing the same thing just because, embrace change.
5. Now more than ever support your Teams mentally & physically so they can perform at high levels. Create and energizing employee experience every day!
6. Reconfirm what our purpose and goals are in serving our districts and share with our Teams.

So, NMSNA members be encouraged and be grateful for this amazing gift we've received and know things are only going to get better from here!	In closing let's continue to feed our kids proudly and stay diligent in keeping all of our teams healthy. Enjoy this wonderful new school year and always know you are not alone, NMSNA stands with you!!

Sincerely, Marie Johnson,
NMSNA President 2021-2023

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	1	Fall 2022

VICE PRESIDENT

Dean Gallegos, Vice President and Member Services

Well it is back in the saddle for me! As I enter my 30th year in school nutrition, I have decided to make a second go-around as Vice President of the New Mexico School Nutrition Association.

Part of my Duties as vice president is to reach out to the membership to reach out to the membership to assist in recruiting for special recognition. Each year we look for outstanding individuals throughout the state and we need your assistance. We are asking for nominations for Director of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Employee of the Year. Not only are these individuals recognized annual at our state conference, but they re also recognized at our national conference which will be held in Denver this coming July.

If you know of any of your coworkers who are deserving of an award like this, please nominate them. You can also nominate yourself. To be eligible you must be in good standing with the association. More information to come.

Due to COVID we all may have lost touch with the association, I am not the exception. However, as I settle into my new role as Food Service Director for Rio Rancho Schools, I look forward to the challenge of once again serving you.

The association has been good to me over the years and I have enjoyed my time as part of the executive board. I look forward to once again being able to serve members in this capacity. Please reach out to me if you need anything at all.

Here’s wishing everybody has a great year! Let’s all work on getting this association back to where it was in the good old days!

	CONGRATULATIONS to our winners,
we missed you at the 2022 NMSNA Conference

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	2	Fall 2022

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

Janet Sanchez,NMSNA Executive Director

Dear Members,

As another school year is in full swing, I wanted to let you know as your new contact and Executive Director of NMSNA you can reach out to me at anytime with questions or clarification regarding our wonderful association. You can reach me at (505) 903-4253 or by emailing me at jansan175@yahoo.com if I do not have the answer(s) to your questions, I will get you in contact with someone who can help.

We were excited to get back to our IN-Person state conference last June. We had 140 attendees and 68 exhibitors showcasing their products. We hope to double that next June 2023.
Please check out our website often for updates, regional training schedules and latest information for our state conference. (nmsna.com) there is so much information and training materials you can view and obtain extra CEU's.
*SNA's news: With prices rising in everything from food, gas, utilities and employee pay, they will be raising membership's national dues and processing fees effective October 1, 2022.
Membership:

Directors/Supervisors +$13.00. Employees/Retirees +$4.00 Managers +$4.00 and
Affiliates +$2.00

Processing Fees: +.50 to all member categories.

Thank you for the wonderfuljob you all do, feeding our children of NM. I wish you all a successful and productive year.

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	3	Fall 2022

EDUCATION CHAIR Shelley Montgomery

What a year we have already been having. With all the changes to the meal pattern plus the

Chain supply issues. Attached is a link that will help with some of the questions you might have about some of the issues with food chain supply.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWgqjK8db_w The update to the Grains:
For all grades, schools must offer a minimum amount of grains daily and weekly; the amount varies by age/grade group. For grades K-12, at least 80% of all grains offered over the course of a week must be whole grain-rich. The remaining 20% or less of grains, if any, must be enriched and measured in ounce equivalencies using weights and/or volumes found in Exhibit A of the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/food-buying-guide-forchild-nutrition-programs). A whole grain-rich product contains 50% or more whole grains by weight, with any remaining grains being enriched. If meats/meat alternates are substituted for grains in the SBP, the whole grain-rich requirement only applies to the actual grains offered. Foods that meet the whole grain-rich criteria for the school meal programs contain 100% whole grain or a blend of whole-grain meal and/or flour and enriched meal and/or flour of which at least 50% is whole grain. Preschoolers must be offered whole grain-rich foods at least once per day.

All of the Region Chairs are currently working of setting dates for the Fall Region Trainings. We are looking forward to in-person training. You will soon be receiving and email invitation. Please plan on attend the training in your region and earn your professional standards credits.

NMSNA is already busy at work planning this summer's annual NMSNA Conference and I need your help! If you have any ideas for training topics and/or presenters let me know.

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	4	Fall 2022

REGION 6 CHAIR Marylou Nez Begay

After two years of Remote Learning Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School -BIE/Grant school finally returned to in person learning September 12, 2022. Following the Navajo Nation guidelines for the past two years most BIE/Grant Schools were on Remote Learning. Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle is located on the Eastern Agency of the Navajo Nation located near the Huerfano Mountain which is sacred to the Navajo people and south of Bloomfield, NM.

Dzilth-Na-O-Dith -Hle School Food Service Department continued serving the students Grab & Go Meals for Breakfast and Lunch by delivering meals on bus routes for students. The past year with the USDA Waivers they were able to serve 1-18 years old, serving these children during Pandemic was difficult but students were able to continue receiving nutritional meals for breakfast and Lunch and adhering to the USDA/New Mexico Student Wellness Bureau guidelines . Along with following the guidelines the Food Service department also face supply chain shortage with food items and paperware. The food service department continued to make things work but coming up with ways to pack meals for the students.

Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-hle School was also in the planning stage of getting a new school when the Pandemic hit. This also had an impact on the reopening of the new school with Supply Chain Shortage along with the ongoing construction of the school. On September 12, 2022, the school construction continued but the students were able to return to their new school. Food Service Department continued to practice Covid safety regulations with student receiving their meals.

Grab & Go meals for students were sent to Breakfast in the Classroom. Excitement was in the air as students started their first day, throughout the next several weeks students were asked what they miss about the meals the school provided: Some of the comments from students were from Layla Tracy a 2nd grader who said “She so missed the school lunches, she said Grab and Go Meals were good but being at School was totally different because they got to see friends and got to eat the delicious hot meals in their new cafeteria. Another student in 3rd grade Adalyn Delgado said she was glad to be back in school and missed the cooks and their good food they made. Several Jr High Students sat in cafeteria and said they miss interacting with friends and now they can sit together in the cafeteria and enjoy the good hot foods that The Food Service make for them each day, you can sense the happiness and excitement in the cafeteria as students go through the serving line and visiting with one another. Food Service continues to follow the USDA Guidelines by serving entrees with Protein,

	

Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-hle Home of
the Mustangs!

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	5	Fall 2022

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS Virginia Schroeder, Legislative Chair

New Mexico Food & Farms Day Celebration

As you're aware NM Farm & Ag Council and NMSNA historically have this celebration in Santa Fe during the legislature. With all the issues and changes going on at the Capital right now the Council decided to have it yesterday here in Albuquerque's south valley.

I've attached the program and the bios on each of the awardees. Both APS and Roswell ISD were awarded a Golden Chile Award. I received the award on behalf of Kim from Roswell. Attached is a copy of her award.

The NMDA Sec. Jeff Witte and Kendal Chavez from the Governor's office were both there assisting with the presentations. Also in attendance were representatives from Senator Lujan office and Congresswoman Stansbury office.	I spoke with both and asked that next time either of their bosses are in the state that they come have breakfast or lunch at one of our schools. Also, asked about meeting with them this spring when we're all in DC for SNA-LAC.

I'll send the few pictures I took in a separate email to make sure it goes through. We should post some of this on our website and in theRoadrunnerpublication this quarter.

Please let me know if you've any questions.

The Golden Chile Award Program is a four-tiered recognition program – Seed, Sprout, Blossom and Golden Chile --designed to acknowledge all levels of involvement in New Mexico’s local food movement. Here are our Early Childhood & K12 winners for 2022:

Golden Chile (mature and fruitful program):

· A Gold Star Academy & Child Development Center in Farmington · Family Resource Center in Deming
· Roswell Independent School District

Blossom (program is reaching maturity):

· Albuquerque Public Schools
· Bumble Bee Learning Center in Sunland Park · Dexter Public Schools
· Elida Municipal Schools
· Farmington Municipal Schools
· Future Generations LLC in Clovis
· Presbyterian Medical Services-Torrance County Children’s Services’ Head Start in Moriarty
· Serendipity Day School in Albuquerque

Sprout (program is growing strong):

· Clovis Municipal Schools · Los Lunas Schools

Seed (program has potential):

· Alamogordo Public Schools
· Ch’ooshgai Community School in Tohatchi
· Count Your Blessings Preschool in Moriarty · Holy Cross Catholic School in Santa Cruz
· Kids in Need of Supportive Services in Silver City · Las Vegas City Schools
· MidWest NMCAP Socorro Head Start · New Beginnings in Farmington
· Ramah Navajo Head Start in Ramah · West Las Vegas School District

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	7	Fall 2022

	
SNA ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022 ORLANDO, FL

RoadRunner: NMSNA Newsletter	6	Fall 2022