This week, PBTISD Child Nutrition Director Joy Peters participated in the School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) annual Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington, D.C. During the conference (March 3-5), Mrs. Peters joined 850 school nutrition professionals from across the country to urge Congress to permanently increase funds for school meals, preserve current nutrition standards and provide every student equal access to free, healthy school meals.
“I am so honored to have attended LAC and spoken with our representatives to help us ensure all students are nourished and ready to learn,” said Joy Peters. "It was very exciting to share how PBTISD’s nutrition program supports our children's health and academic success. As schools face critical long-term economic, procurement, and regulatory challenges, we need Congress’ support to ensure the sustainability of these critical school meal programs.”
SNA's 2024 School Nutrition Trends Survey found that virtually all (99.3%) responding school meal program directors are challenged by increasing costs. Additionally, 90% of respondents cited staff shortages and challenges with the availability of student-accepted foods that meet current sodium limits. Survey findings also highlighted the benefits of offering free meals to all students. School districts with free meal service through state initiatives or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) reported reduced stigma for low-income students, less unpaid meal debt, and increased operational efficiencies.
LAC also allowed Mrs. Peters and other attendees to meet with their Members of Congress to discuss these challenges and share SNA’s 2024 Position Paper, which offers solutions and urges Congress to ensure all students have equal access to free school meals.
“All of PBTISD is very proud to have had Joy Peters as a representative at this year’s LAC,” said Superintendent Brent Jaco. “Mrs. Peters embodies our commitment to nurturing minds and bodies, advocating for equitable access to wholesome school meals, and advocating for our rural public schools."
About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit organization representing 50,000 school nutrition professionals nationwide. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. To find out more about SNA’s Legislative Action Conference, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/LAC.