SNA is constantly monitoring continued supply chain disruptions and their impact on school meal programs during the back to school season. We have been in close touch with USDA regarding these issues.

Today, SNA sent recommendations to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on ways the Department can ease pressure on programs struggling with procurement problems.

In June, SNA wrote to Secretary Vilsack to alert the department to worsening supply chain disruptions in the school nutrition industry. USDA responded immediately, meeting with SNA’s Board, Executive Committee and industry partners. Since that time, SNA has shared numerous examples of procurement challenges from SNA members nationwide.

Today’s letter urges USDA to ease a variety of procurement, meal pattern, monitoring and reporting requirements to reduce burdens on school nutrition professionals scrambling to secure food and supplies for students, while also meeting federal regulatory mandates. The letter also calls for additional financial support for school meal programs.

Follow this link to read letter to USDA: https://files.constantcontact.com/7363e923701/9d291aaa-5270-4083-a8d1-2a5f99808b7b.pdf