The SNAAZ 68th Annual State Conference is the premier child nutrition event of the year. Here are some reasons you won’t want to miss it:
Join us from Friday, September 27-28, 2024, to gain valuable knowledge and support that will help you better serve the students in your care each day. We look forward to seeing you there!
Renaissance Hotel “Meeting Level”
Renaissance Hotel
Meeting Level
Kathy Glindmeier, Debbie McCarron, Melissa Harvey
This session will be an invaluable opportunity for both seasoned and new Directors and Supervisor in child nutrition. Covering such relevant topics like Arizona Legislature Outreach, Administrative Review Preparation, Menu Planning, Financial Management, and Personnel Supervision which can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your roles as CN leaders. The interactive format with audience participation will be especially beneficial as it allows for collaborative learning and the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Renaissance Hotel
Relax for a few minutes before the next exciting pre-conference session. This is also a great time to network with your child nutrition colleagues.
Renaissance Hotel
Meeting Level
Adelita Bagley
This session will provide a broad overview of CEP operations, including the financial considerations that impact the decisions to participate in CEP for districts. Next, she will cover what to contemplate when implementing and incorporating CEP into a site’s operations, ending with how to communicate CEP with staff, students, and their families. At the end of the sessions, there will be time for questions and answers.
Renaissance Hotel
Meeting Level
SNAAZ Staff
Pick up all your registration materials for an exciting “68th Annual State Conference”.
Renaissance Hotel
Meeting Level
FLA Committee
This session is for the current SNAAZ Future Leadership Academy Attendees.
Renaissance Hotel
Grand Ballroom Level
SNAAZ School and Industry Attendees
Join us for a fun-filled night of casual conversation and heavy appetizers. Again, this year we will have a DJ along with caricaturists and a fun and exciting photo booth experience. And you will also want to check out the great fundraising activity with lots and lots of great baskets.
Phoenix Convention Center “South Building”
Renaissance Hotel
Lobby
Wendy Sahr
Join Wendy from Tyson Foods as she you takes you on a brisk walk in downtown Phoenix to get you wide awake and prepare you for a day of learning, food, and fun.
PCC South
Lobby
SNAAZ
This is the time to pick up your registration materials at the SNAAZ PCC Lobby Check In Desk and then head on over to the General Session room for delicious breakfast to fuel you up for the day!
PPC South
Rooms 150-159
Pledge of Allegiance
Opening Remarks – Michelle Hall
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION -“You’re Worth It Wellness!” – Fred Schafer, MS, SNS, MCHES
The school nutrition profession, though deeply rewarding, can be demanding, with the high levels of stress and anxiety experienced by many school nutrition employees. All too often, their wellness needs are not served and go unmet while the profession focuses on serving others. Not only can this negatively affect an employee’s physical and emotional health, but also their job performance, longevity, and levels of job satisfaction. In this highly informative, dynamic, and humorous keynote, wellness specialists, CN director, professional speaker, and leader Fred “The Fit Food Dude” Schafer will share “easy to use” wellness best practices to reduce team stress and anxiety. Fred draws on his Masters in Wellness Promotion, Master Health Education Specialist Certification, and over 50 years of fitness training experience to impart wellness tools all school nutrition team members can use to enhance their careers and lives.
PCC South
Lobby
Check out the back of your program book as you decide which class you want to go to next.
PPC South
Rooms 150-159
“SNAAZ State Level Legislative Efforts” – Melissa Harvey & Dante Gibson
You won’t want to miss this engaging class on the future legislative efforts that SNAAZ is aiming to develop in Arizona. SNAAZ has a strong track record advocating for child nutrition programs in Washington, D.C. However, for our Arizona Representatives and Senators to fully support us on Capitol Hill, they need to see our grassroots efforts in Arizona at the local level. It’s time to start working on these grassroots efforts to ensure that we can continue to safeguard child nutrition programs here in Arizona. Join Melissa and Dante as they demonstrate how you can make a difference and learn about the powerful tools developed by SNA and SNAAZ to address this challenge
PPC South
1. Rooms 150-159
2. Rooms 162-163
3. Rooms 164-165
4. Rooms 166-167
1. “Asociacion Exitosa Con Su Inspector De Salud” David Morales – Rooms 160-161
En el dinamico mundo de la nutricion escolar, mantener una relacion solida y colaborativa con su inspector de salud es esencial para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria y el cumplimiento normativo. Esta sesion proporcionara conocimientos invaluables y estrategias procticas para formentar una asociacion postiva con los inspectores de salud, contribuyendo en ultima instancia a un enforno alimentario seguro y saludable para los estudiantes.
2. “Amazing Ideas From An Arizona District’s Child Nutrition Program” Linsday Aguilar & TUSD CN Team – Rooms 162-163
Discover innovative and practical approaches to elevating your food service program with the Tucson USD Child Nutrition Team. In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to implement creative techniques that will make your program stand out and garner appreciation from students, staff, and the community. Lindsay and her team will also focus on their school garden network which includes their University of Arizona school community garden program partnership, garden to cafeteria and food literacy program.
3. “Building Resilience: Exploring Risks and Protective Factors in Arizona Youth Mental Health” Bin Suh, PhD, RN & Brian Eller – Rooms 164-165
This fascinating class delves into critical issues in Arizona’s youth mental health, addressing concerns like unhealthy weight control behaviors and suicide considerations. It also focuses on exploring both risk and protective factors, such as Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs). The session also investigates how ACEs, such as trauma and adversity, influence youth mental health outcomes, and how PCEs, such as stable relationships and supportive environments, can mitigate these impacts. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the factors shaping youth mental health and learn strategies for fostering resilience and well-being, drawing from population-based data reported by youth and parents.
4. “School Lunch Around the World” Tony Roberts – Rooms 166-167
Discover how school lunches are served around the world! Journey through England, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and China, and uncover the unique flavors and traditions that make each country’s approach to child nutrition special. You will also dive into the challenges they face, exploring the similarities and differences in how they nourish their students.
PPC South
Hall G
All CN Directors, Buyers, and Supervisors
This special time is set aside for all Directors, Buyers and Supervisors to check out all the great items that the Vendors will be showing to help you to improve your CN program for your customers.
PPC South
1. Rooms 150-159
2. Rooms 160-161
3. Rooms 162-163
4. Rooms 164-165
1. “Liderando a Tu Equipo Hacia el Éxito: Estrategias de Resolución de Conflictos y Construcción de Equipos ” Juanita Lazaro – Rooms 150-159
Únete a nosotros en esta clase diseñada para los administradores de cocina de nutrición escolar que buscan mejorar sus habilidades de liderazgo, dominar técnicas de resolución de conflictos y fomentar relaciones duraderas con sus equipos. Aprende estrategias efectivas para liderar con confianza, desactivar tensiones con gracia y cultivar un entorno colaborativo en la cocina que promueva el éxito y la armonía entre los miembros de tu equipo. No pierdas esta oportunidad de empoderarte con herramientas prácticas para manejar conflictos y construir conexiones duraderas dentro de tu programa de nutrición escolar.
2. “Successful Partnership With Your Health Inspector” David Morales – Rooms 160-161
In the dynamic world of school nutrition, maintaining a strong and collaborative relationship with your health inspector is essential for ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. This session will provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to foster a positive partnership with health inspectors, ultimately contributing to a safe and healthy food environment for students.
3. “Leading Your Team to Success: Conflict Resolution Strategies and Team Building” Miranda Sandner – Rooms 162-163
Join us for this class designed for school nutrition kitchen managers and staff seeking to enhance their leadership skills, master conflict resolution techniques, and foster enduring team relationships. Learn effective strategies to lead with confidence, defuse tensions gracefully, and cultivate a collaborative kitchen environment that promotes success and harmony among your team members. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower yourself with practical tools for managing conflicts and building lasting connections within your school nutrition program.
4. “Creating Cultures of Courage” Fred Schafer – Rooms 164-165
The task of making things better for yourself and others in both your professional and personal lives can be daunting …
How exactly do you move yourself and others to work together more effectively to help accomplish your organizational and personal missions?
Join Fred in this dynamic, humorous and interactive session as you will be equipped and empowered to move forward more successfully. Fred will share his proven six step “mighty forces influencers” system to turning your work int an excellent adventure of making things better for all. The bottom-line result of this system is that each person will grow to know that they can truly be more intentional and encouraging influencers, more positive persuaders and more confident creators of good and magnificence in the workplace and in the world!
PPC South
1. Rooms 150-159
2. Rooms 160-161
3. Rooms 166-167
4. Rooms 164-165
5. Rooms 164-165
1. “Los Conceptos Basicos de las Comidas Reembolsables” Kim Ruiz – Rooms 150-159
En esta sesión, ofrecida en español, discutiremos los conceptos básicos de lo que constituye una comida reembolsable, los parámetros de oferta versus servicio, y brindaremos a los asistentes la confianza para identificar correctamente las comidas reembolsables en el comedor. (In this session, offered in Spanish, we will discuss the basics of what makes a reimbursable meal, the parameters of offer vs serve, and provide attendees with the confidence to correctly identify reimbursable meals in the lunchroom.)
2. “Successful Partnership With Your Health Inspector” David Morales – Rooms 160-161
In the dynamic world of school nutrition, maintaining a strong and collaborative relationship with your health inspector is essential for ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. This session will provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to foster a positive partnership with health inspectors, ultimately contributing to a safe and healthy food environment for students.
3. “Conflict Resolution for Child Nutrition Programs Miranda Sandner – Rooms 162-163
Join us for this class designed for school nutrition kitchen managers and staff seeking to enhance their leadership skills, master conflict resolution techniques, and foster enduring team relationships. Learn effective strategies to lead with confidence, defuse tensions gracefully, and cultivate a collaborative kitchen environment that promotes success and harmony among your team members. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower yourself with practical tools for managing conflicts and building lasting connections within your school nutrition program.
4. “Amazing Ideas For Your CN Program From An Amazing Arizona District” Lindsay Aguilar & TUSD CN Team – Rooms 166-167
Discover innovative and practical approaches to elevating your food service program with the Tucson USD Child Nutrition Team. In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to implement creative techniques that will make your program stand out and garner appreciation from students, staff, and the community. Lindsay and her team will also focus on their school garden network which includes their University of Arizona school community garden program partnership, garden to cafeteria and food literacy program.
5. “Creating Cultures of Courage” Fred Schafer – Rooms 164-165
The task of making things better for yourself and others in both your professional and personal lives can be daunting …
How exactly do you move yourself and others to work together more effectively to help accomplish your organizational and personal missions?
Join Fred in this dynamic, humorous and interactive session as you will be equipped and empowered to move forward more successfully. Fred will share his proven six step “mighty forces influencers” system to turning your work int an excellent adventure of making things better for all. The bottom-line result of this system is that each person will grow to know that they can truly be more intentional and encouraging influencers, more positive persuaders and more confident creators of good and magnificence in the workplace and in the world!
PPC South
Hall G
Time For Everyone To Check Out The Vast Exhibitor Show
This is a great opportunity for you to see all the new items that our vendors are exhibiting to help you to improve your child nutrition program.
A Great Event To Earn Education CEU’s – All Education Sessions Will Be Repeated So You Can Hit Them All
This session will be an invaluable opportunity for both seasoned and new Directors and Supervisor in child nutrition. Covering such relevant topics like Arizona Legislature Outreach, Administrative Review Preparation, Menu Planning, Financial Management, and Personnel Supervision which can greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your roles as CN leaders.
Join our keynote speaker, Bart Christian as he shares with you that no matter how perfect your workplace is, conflict is a common thread that affects all great teams. How you handle it can either make or break that workplace team. During this session he will give you some simple solutions to manage conflict in both your professional as well as your personal life.
This fascinating class delves into critical issues in Arizona’s youth mental health, addressing concerns like unhealthy weight control behaviors and suicide considerations. It also focuses on exploring both risk and protective factors, such as Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs).
Join us for this class designed for school nutrition kitchen managers and staff seeking to enhance their leadership skills, master conflict resolution techniques, and foster enduring team relationships. Learn effective strategies to lead with confidence, defuse tensions gracefully, and cultivate a collaborative kitchen environment that promotes success and harmony among your team members. Don't miss this opportunity to empower yourself with practical tools for managing conflicts and building lasting connections within your school nutrition program.
Join Olivia for this class which will help to bring you back to basics about offer vs serve, its requirements, and how to assure that you and your district are staying compliant.
If there were a way you could create a work culture that attracted high-quality people who were eager to work for child nutrition programs, would that interest you? And, if there were a way you could not only attract and hire such people but then train and retain them for years until they develop into superstar school nutrition professionals, would that be helpful too? The truth is this. Attracting, hiring, training, and keeping great team members need not be a constant headache. There is a simple yet powerful formula to create a workplace culture of excellence, productivity, and camaraderie. This exact formula helped Fred to be recognized as a top school nutrition recruiting and retention specialist in the USA. Join him in this high energy, content packed, and humorous session where he will share his “Velvet Rope Workplace” formula.
SNAAZ is so excited to unveil this inaugural session highlighting one of Arizona’s most innovative child nutrition programs, Humboldt Unified School District.
Join the Humboldt Team as they show you some creative, yet simple ways to get your food service program noticed and appreciated!
Discover innovative and practical approaches to elevating your food service program with the Tucson USD Child Nutrition Team. In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to implement creative techniques that will make your program stand out and garner appreciation from students, staff, and the community. Whether you’re looking to boost participation, enhance your menu offerings, or improve overall...
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Join us for this class designed for school nutrition kitchen managers and staff seeking to enhance their leadership skills, master conflict resolution techniques, and foster enduring team relationships. Learn effective strategies to lead with confidence, defuse tensions gracefully, and cultivate a collaborative kitchen environment that promotes success and harmony among your team members. Don't miss this opportunity to empower yourself with practical tools for managing conflicts and building lasting connections within your school nutrition program.
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If this is you first time going to an ANC. Please check out and register the upcoming webinar…
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We are a state affiliate to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), which represents over 55,000 individuals who have made a commitment to child nutrition.
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