School Nutrition Association • November/December 2022 • This & That

FAME Award Winners | BASIC AMERICAN FOODS | Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) awards, sponsored by Basic American Foods. At a ceremony to be held in conjunction with SNA’s 2023 School Nutrition Industry Conference (SNIC) in San Diego in January, the prestigious Golden Foodservice Director of the Year award will be presented to Jessica Shelly, SNS, of Cincinnati Public Schools. The Silver Leadership Award goes to Christine Clarahan, SNS, of School City of Hammond, Indiana, while the Silver Spirit Award recipient is Lauren Koff , SNS, of Houston County (Ga.) Public Schools. Melanie Romano of Alliance Charter Schools, Charlotte, N.C., will be awarded the Silver Rising Star Award. www.baffoodservice.com/fame-awards

Whole Grain Resource | USDA | Nutrition standards for school meal programs mandate that 80% of the grains you serve your students each week must be rich in whole grains. Now, USDA is making it easier for you to be compliant with your grains servings with the downloadable Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. You can rely on this handy PDF for everything you need to know about grains, including what counts as a whole grain (and what doesn’t), how to read ingredient lists and how you can incorporate the proper foods into your menu. www.tinyurl.com/WholeGrainUSDA-SNmag

Salad Bar Grant | SALAD BARS TO SCHOOLS | When kids have access to all the fixings of a salad bar, they’re much more likely to eat fresh veggies and fruit every day. But as you likely know firsthand, salad bars require special equipment that may not be in your budget. Salad Bars to Schools Grants, made available by several sponsors, including the Chef Ann Foundation, strives to make these nutritious options available to more schools. Open to any school participating in the National School Lunch Program, this grant provides everything needed to run a salad bar, including enrollment in the School Food Institute’s Salad Bars in Schools Course. www.saladbars2schools.org

Whole-Grain Bars | FAT CAT BAKERY | Whether kids need a simple on-the-go breakfast option or a nutrient-dense a la carte extra at lunchtime, whole-grain bars from Fat Cat Bakery are sure to hit the spot. Made in a nut-free facility and featuring whole grains without any trans fats or additives, they contain no more than 30% sugar by weight and meet Smart Snacks requirements. Individually wrapped, they are available in four kid-approved flavors: Cinnamon Apple Oat Chewie, Apple Farmer’s Market, Banana Chocolate Farmer’s Market and Cranberry Orange Farmer’s Market. www.fatcatscones.com/bars

Honeyracha Sauce | KRAFT HEINZ FOODSERVICE | Did you know that Sriracha has proven to be the fastest-growing condiment over the past three years? So what better way to appeal to the adventurous tastebuds of Gen Z than with a sweet-and-spicy take on this trendy topping and dip. Honeyracha Sauce from Kraft Heinz Foodservice combines the flavors of honey and Sriracha and comes in 1-oz. and 2-oz. individual portion cups, as well as a 20-oz. bottle that can be placed on a condiment station. www.kraftheinz-foodservice.com

Low-Sodium Gravy | C.H. GUENTHER & SON | Cold winter months are the perfect time for comfort foods like gravy, but traditional recipes often contain too much sodium for school meals. Serve your students a healthier alternative with Pioneer® Low Sodium Roasted Chicken Gravy Mix with Whole Grain from C.H. Guenther & Son. Made with whole-grain flour and easy to prepare by simply mixing with boiling water, it also holds well for extended periods of time while you’re serving multiple lunch periods. https://fs.chg.com

Culinary Videos | HEALTHY SCHOOL RECIPES | Sometimes it’s easier to follow step-by-step instructions when you can actually watch them being demonstrated—especially if you’re a visual learner. Healthy School Recipes has you covered! Check out its series of super-short culinary skills videos on its YouTube channel. You’ll learn the proper way to cut an avocado or pineapple, how to make your own ranch or BBQ seasoning blends and even the best methods for making quick-pickled onions or cucumber. www.tinyurl.com/CulinaryVideos-SNmag

This Is Your Brain on Food | UMA NAIDOO, MD | When you have a better understanding of how food supports your own body, you‘ll have a better appreciation of how it serves your growing students. This is Your Brain on Food, by psychiatrist and nutrition expert Uma Naidoo, MD, explores the ways good nutrition benefits mental health. Naidoo writes about how food nourishes your brain, helping you stave off psychological and cognitive problems such as depression, OCD, anxiety and ADHD. Available at major retailers.

Disney Packaging | DYMA BRANDS | Eating meals in school can be (even more) fun when Disney characters are involved. That’s why DYMA Brands has partnered with Disney Consumer Products to launch a line of 13 individually portioned condiments and spreads in packaging featuring popular characters from Disney media franchises. Kids will be delighted to see many favorite faces, from Mickey Mouse to Star Wars characters to the Toy Story gang. All products, including barbecue sauce and peanut butter cups, are low-sodium, low-fat, gluten-free and made without any artificial flavors, making them a great choice to consider for your K-12 foodservice program. www.dymabrands.com/disney-products

Whole-Grain Cookies | RICH’S USA | Sweet treats that comply with nutrition standards in school cafeterias are always welcome at the table. Consider the Nut Free Whole Grain Rich Chocolate Chip Made With Hershey’s Baked Cookie from Rich Products Corp. Smart Snacks-compliant and fulfilling a 1-oz. grain equivalency, these cookies are individually wrapped, making them an easy and convenient a la carte option for students—simply thaw and serve. www.tinyurl.com/RichsCookie-SNmag