Mason City Schools Child Nutrition Supervisor Tamara Earl, SNS, recently joined 1,000 school nutrition professionals from across the country at the School Nutrition Associations 41st annual Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Earl, vice president of the School Nutrition Association of Ohio since August, attended the conference to ensure Ohio has a voice at the national conference.

During the conference, Earl joined colleagues in discussing new nutrition standards for school meals and proposed regulations for foods sold in school vending machines, a la carte lines and snack bars. LACs Charge to the Hill allowed attendees to meet with members of Congress to discuss these topics and urge their support for school meal programs, which serve nearly 32 million students each school day. Partnered with Louise Easterly, Kettering Food Service Supervisor, and Dave Hackman and Carole Erb of JTM Foods, Earl met with representatives of Steve Chabots (District 1), Joyce Beattys (District 3) and Bill Johnsons (District 6) offices.

The conference came at a critical time as school cafeterias continue to implement new nutrition standards for school meals, which require more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less sodium and calories on student lunch trays.

With Congress weighing new budget cuts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture drafting additional regulations for school cafeterias, it is critical for our leaders to hear directly from the experts in school nutrition on the importance of school meal programs to the health, well-being and academic success of Americas students, said School Nutrition Association President Sandra Ford, SNS.

Q: How long have you served as vice president of SNA? What do you do in that role?

A: I was elected last year and assumed the office on Aug. 1, 2013. I will serve this year and succeed to the office of president-elect on Aug. 1, 2014, and then president and president-elect.

In the role of vice president, I participated in the Legislative Action Conference sponsored by the national School Nutrition Association. I also recently chaired an Industry Seminar for members; industry participants included food manufacturers, equipment, and food distributors that support the needs of school food service. With the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that reauthorized the National School Lunch Program, manufacturers continue to respond with reformulated products and it is essential for those in school food service to remain informed.

Q: What was the purpose of the conference?

A: The National School Lunch program is the largest of the federal child nutrition programs serving more than 31.6 million students per day. The School Nutrition Association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing childrens health and well-being through school meals and nutrition education. The Legislative Action Conference is an opportunity for us in the business to have a voice with congressional representatives regarding the impact of legislation on our programs.

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Mason school official talks nutrition with legislators